FEEDING SWINE 



247 



rapidly if fed well ; but if the food supply is deficient 

 in the mineral elements, the lack is told in the ulti- 

 mate results. 



Ground bone or bone meal can be introduced ad- 

 vantageously into the ration either when the hogs 

 are in the feed lot or on pasture. Soft coal, char- 

 coal, and salt, either in mixture or given separately, 

 should be kept before the animals at all times. 





LEGUME PASTURES IDEAL FOR PIGS 



For young growing pigs alfalfa, clover, or cowpeas are excellent forage 

 crops. If one of these is not available, tender mixed grasses will serve. 

 Corn or slop or both is advisable in addition to the green forage. 



Making a Slop. When pigs are young, food in 

 the form of a slop is niost easily and safely fed. At 

 first it should be quite thin. The nearer it ap- 

 proaches the consistency of buttermilk the better 

 for the pigs. As the pigs grow, it is a mistake to 

 continue to feed a very thin slop. .An oversupply of 

 water in slop is harmful ; fat production is thereby 

 retarded. Consequently, if the food is given in this 



