ALFALFA FOR SWINE 221 



15 to 25 pigs per acre. It is best to limit the num- 

 ber of pigs to that which will be insufficient to keep 

 down an alfalfa held. Cuttings of hay may then be 

 made at intervals and the growth thus rejuvenated. On 

 the average, pigs weighing 30 to 60 pounds in the spring- 

 will make a gain of about 100 pounds each during the 

 season. Although pigs may be grown and fattened upon 

 alfalfa alone, it is best to combine the alfalfa with some 

 kind of a grain ration. Alfalfa by itself is too rich in 

 protein to give a balanced ration. Where pigs are pas- 

 tured upon alfalfa alone they may be prepared for the 

 market by feeding for a few weeks upon corn. It is still 

 better, however, to feed a third to a half of a ration of 

 corn or other grain during the time of pasturing." 



The great mistake made by too many who attempt to 

 pasture swine on alfalfa is in overstocking. There is a 

 tendency to keep within a small pasture more stock than 

 it can comfortably support, with the result that the al- 

 falfa plants are gnawed, trampled and rooted out, while 

 the animals fail to prosper as they would under more 

 rational treatment. 



One of the most extensive and successful swine raisers 

 in Kansas tells the author this: "Twenty-five years of 

 pasturing hogs of all ages on alfalfa has proven con- 

 clusively to me that a fourth to a half grain ration, while 

 they are on such pasture, will produce in them a greater 

 growth per day than when in dry lots on full feeds of 

 corn. Hogs will maintain a reasonable growth, but not 

 fatten much, on alfalfa pasture alone; I believe it profit- 

 able to feed them some grain while running on green 

 alfalfa. If it is desired to full-feed hogs, they will make 



