324 AGRICULTURE 



Money invested in hogs can be turned rapidly, as pigs are 

 marketable when eight months old. The yearly sales from 

 a herd of hogs should be from two to four times the orig- 

 inal investment. Much of the profit depends on intelli- 

 gent feeding. 



The feeding of pigs requires the consideration of three 

 stages in their development, (1) from farrowing to wean- 

 ing, (2) from weaning to fattening, and (3) fattening for 

 market. 



Feeding young pigs. Little pigs do not need any 

 food other than their mother's milk for the first two or 

 three weeks of their life. When they have reached this age, 

 they will begin to nibble on shelled corn. A little of this 

 should be fed them in a place outside the pen. By the time 

 they are from three to four weeks old, they may be fed 

 a small amount of skim-milk, in which has been mixed a 

 little ground feed, such as shorts. They should have a 

 trough of their own where it can not be reached by the 

 mother. 



The amount of mixed feeds and shelled corn given small 

 pigs may be increased till they are ten weeks old, when they 

 should be weaned. When they are deprived of their moth- 

 er's milk, which up to weaning time supplies the basis of 

 their nourishment, it is very important that they be fed a 

 ration capable of producing the most rapid growth and 

 best health. 



Feeding pigs after weaning. At the time of weaning, 

 the feed should not be greatly changed, except to increase 

 the amount, until the pigs have become accustomed to the 

 loss of the mother's milk. If pasture is available, the quan- 

 tity of corn may be increased. If the pigs must be kept 

 in a dry lot, a larger proportion of soft feeds should be 

 used. 



It is to be remembered that the purpose in feeding pigs 



