122 SWINE IN AMERICA 



and they are then pntting- on their most inexpensive 

 growth at a time and age, too, when they are least 

 subject to aihiients and accidents. The chances for 

 profitably rearing two crops of pigs from a sow annually 

 are undoubtedly far better in regions of mild climate and 

 short winters than where the winters are long and 

 rigorous. 



CARE IN WINTER 



In the winter when pasture is not available the brood 

 sows will call for greatest attention, and substitutes for 

 green feed will be important. Roots, cabbage, silage, 

 ])umpkins, sorghum, and clover or alfalfa hay come 

 within this classification. Roots offer considerable suc- 

 culence, so much so that their laxative effect must not 

 be allov^^ed to bring about undue action of the bowels. 

 Roots may be given without cutting, or they may be 

 chopped and mixed with the grain ration. In the 

 vicinity of a beet-sugar factory beet pulp may usually 

 be obtained at a small cost. Bulk may also be sup- 

 plied with clover or alfalfa hay, sheaf oats, sorghum 

 cane or similar ration. A correspondent of the Prairie 

 farmer reports the profitable use of steamed hay, cut 

 to one-half or three- fourths of an inch long and mixed 

 with ground feed. He gives the following: "Take 

 early cut, carefully cured hay — any kind will do, but al- 

 falfa or clover is best — cut it up one-half or three-fourths 

 of an inch in length, put it in a barrel, box, or something 

 you can cover up, mix with it any kind of ground feed 

 — bran, middlings, ground oats, or rye. Vary the 



