Alfalfa in Kansas. 423 



cases of this condition are sometimes treated by means of a rope passed 

 over the head to hold a bit in the mouth. The bit is usually of wood and 

 smeared with tar, lard, or similar substance. This makes the animal 

 move its jaws and tongue vigorously, causing saliva to pass into the 

 gullet, and these factors favor the belching of gas. 



If the rumen has been opened the fermentation of gas may be stopped 

 by administering an ounce of pure creolin directly into the paunch through 

 the artificial opening. Sometimes, after all danger of a fatal termination 

 is passed, the animal will have indigestion for some time afterwards, ow- 

 ing to the complete or partial paralysis of the walls of the rumen as a re- 

 sult of the great distention. This may be treated by administering the 

 following mixture : 



Powdered nux vomica 2 oz. 



Powdered ginger root 2 oz. 



Powdered gentian root 4 oz. 



Powdered nitrate of potash 2 oz. 



These ingredients are to be mixed and divided into eight powders, and 

 the animal is to receive one powder every twelve hours in a little water, 

 as a drench. Food should always be withheld from the animal for some 

 time after an attack of bloating. (See "Bloat," in index.) 



ALFALFA AS A FEED FOR HOGS. 



By RAY GATEWOOD, Assistant Animal Husbandman, Kansas State Agricultural College. 



While alfalfa may be fed to some classes of hogs with a greater profit 

 than to others, it may be rated as a desirable feed for all classes. It 

 may be utilized in several different forms, either as pasture, hay, meal 

 or silage. 



Alfalfa is the best pasture crop that can be grown for hogs. Among 

 the many advantages are that it comes early in the spring, remains late 

 in the fall, and provides a nourishing, succulent feed throughout the 

 summer. While it will not fatten a young growing pig when used alone, 

 because of its bulk, it will develop a large frame and capacity for feed, 

 which results in tremendous gains during a short finishing period. It 

 furnishes adequate nutrients for dry brood sows and stock hogs, during 

 favorable seasons, without the use of supplementary grain in any form. 

 When hogs are fattened on corn alone in a dry lot, as compared with 

 corn and alfalfa pasture, the differences are so great as to create doubt 

 in the minds of those who have not watched the comparison very closely 

 under controlled conditions. 



The hay also makes a very desirable feed, especially during the 

 winter when there is special need of some cheap feed for maintenance 

 and growth. The last cutting is generally preferable, as it is not as 

 coarse and stemmy as the earlier crops. It is best fed from racks, as in 

 this way it is easily accessible to the hogs and may be eaten with but 

 little waste. 



The meal has not been brought into common use, as but few farms 

 are equipped with special mills for grinding the hay, and it is hardly 



