72 SUCCESSFUL FARMING 



The unborn pig must be well fed indirectly through its host the brood 

 sow if a strong, vigorous, active pig carrying big bone and strong muscle 

 at the time of farrow is desired. 



In general, it is well to emphasize in brood sow management : 



A. Acceptable balanced feeds in sufficient quantity. 



B. Maximum growth without excessive fattening. 



C. Abundant exercise, especially the latter two months of 



gestation. 



D. Riddance of lice and worms. 



E. Moderate laxativeness, because constipation is a menace. 



F. Gentleness in handling the herd. 



The suckling sow and litter should be fed better than any other class 

 of swine. The demand for growing feeds by both the sow and pigs at 

 this time is great. Such feeds as corn, barley, skim milk, buttermilk, tank- 

 age, wheat middlings, alfalfa, rape, clover, blue grass and other pastures, 

 and similar feeds equally as good are to be particularly commended. 



Feeding the Pigs. From time of weaning to maturity pigs should 

 have plenty of suitable forage. Nothing is better than pastures of clover, 

 alfalfa, rape, etc. Here they may be given a full or limited ration, depend- 

 ing on circumstances. 



If the usually better early fall markets are the goal, full-feeding will 

 be in order; whereas if the later but somewhat lower markets are most 

 acceptable, the grain ration can be limited. Ordinarily, it is not a paying 

 proposition to feed less than three pounds of grain with every 100 pounds 

 of pig daily. A lesser amount, especially if the pasture be poor, will cause 

 the pigs to become stunted. 



The fall pigs which are raised in winter dry lot must be fed a relatively 

 high-priced ration; in other words, one high in protein. The fall pigs 

 need warm shelter, and it is best to feed them inside the shelter. They 

 must be protected from the cold winds, snows, hails, and general wintry 

 conditions, while the spring pig should be protected from the hot sun and 

 the flies. The fall pig lives at a time when attacks from worms are at 

 low ebb and are not readily passed from one host to another. 



The "hogging-down'' of corn deserves much emphasis. It is prac- 

 ticed profitably in all of the corn belt states. It may be likened to dry 

 lot feeding if the field is clean and free from weeds, and supplemental pro- 

 tein feeds should be supplied accordingly. It is well to have an alfalfa, 

 rape or similar pasture field adjoining in order to supply this protein 

 at the lowest cost. 



Rape, winter rye or winter wheat in the northern corn belt may be 

 sown in the corn at the last cultivation or shortly thereafter with excel- 

 lent success; in the more southern districts cowpeas and soy beans 

 may be included with profit. 



Successful swine rations for general American conditions, and suitable 



