ALFALFA FOR SWINE. 411 



pounds) a day per head. At the end of eight months he sells at 

 an average weight of 250 pounds. The quantity of corn fed is 

 about 11 14 bushels per head. Figuring at the average price of 

 corn in this locality, 35 cents, and the price received for pork, 

 5% cents, the following results show the cost of growing pork 

 on this farm and the value of alfalfa pasture: 



Value of 250-pound ho?, at 5J cents $13.75 



Value of pig at weaning-, 50 pounds, at 5^ cents 2.75 



Gain from pasture and grain $11.00 



Cost of 11M bushels of corn, at 35 cents 3.83 



Value of pasture per head pastured 7.07 



Now, compare these results with those of a man who had to 

 depend on other pasture crops than alfalfa. He estimates that it 

 will take 15 bushels of corn on wheat, oats, and rye pasture to 

 raise and fatten a hog so it will weigh 240 pounds at nine months 

 old, besides the pasture and slop. At the price of corn men- 

 tioned, 35 cents a bushel, and with hogs at 5% cents a pound, 

 note the cost of producing pork on this farm: 



Value of 240-pound hog, at 5^ cents, $13.20 



Value of pig at weaning, 50 pounds, at 5J^ cents 2.75 



Gain from pasture and grain $10.45 



Cost of 15 bushels of corn, at 35 cents 5 25 



Value of pasture per head pastured 5.20 



The pasture on this farm will not support more than half 

 as many head per acre as alfalfa. Its value is only $5.20 per 

 head, against $7.07 per head for alfalfa pasture on the other 

 farm. 



The experiences of these men are sufficient to show the value 

 of alfalfa pasture alone, its greater value when grain is fed in 

 connection, and that it is an important factor in economic pork 

 production. 



Alfalfa Hay. While alfalfa pasture has been found to be very 

 valuable for hogs, the hay as a part ration for winter is scarcely 

 less important. Throughout the region referred to the farmers 

 are feeding the hay to hogs in winter. The hay has been found 

 to be especially valuable for brood sows before farrowing. Where 

 it is fed during the winter only a small ration of grain is nec- 

 essary to keep the sows in good flesh and in healthy condition. 

 Sows thus fed also farrow good litters of strong, healthy pigs. 



Feeding Methods. Many feed the hay by throwing it on the 

 ground in forkfuls; others have made low racks in which the 

 hay is placed, where the hogs can feed like cattle or sheep. 

 The hay is usually fed dry. The leaves are more readily eaten 

 by the hogs than the stems, and they contain more of the nutri- 



