1 68 SWINE IX AMERICA 



necessarily vary according to its quality and other local 

 considerations, and the length of time the pasture will 

 sustain hogs likewise is dependent upon the climate, qual- 

 ity of the crop, age and number of the animals, and 

 other varying conditions. For an average it may be said 

 that an acre of red clover should support six to ten hogs 

 for three or four months. Alfalfa, the leading pasture 

 plant for swine, should provide, if of vigorous growth, 

 for twelve to twenty-five animals per acre, but an alfalfa 

 stand should not be grazed by so many hogs that mow- 

 ings will not be necessary for keeping it in the best con- 

 dition. The practice with alfalfa should be to pasture 

 fewer hogs than will be able to keep back a rank or 

 woody growth. If only such number of hogs is kept 

 on the alfalfa as will permit from one to three cuttings 

 of 'hay being harvested from it in course of the season 

 the pasturage will, on account of its fresh growths, be 

 much better for the hogs, and the money values returned 

 be considerably greater. Blue grass may be allotted eight 

 to 12 hogs per acre, and more if the grass is in first- 

 class condition. A good sod of Bermuda grass should 

 provide for about the same number. Cowpeas will prob- 

 ably support six or eight thrifty shotes, and artichokes, 

 chufas and Spanish peanuts will supply eight or ten hogs, 

 the length of time depending upon the proportion of 

 grain provided. These estimates may be entirely out of 

 line in some instances, as modifications are liable to oc- 

 cur in the conditions governing any situation. Taking 

 these into consideration, however, a hog-raiser may use 

 the foregoing as suggestions to figure from, and by the 



