CHAPTER III 

 IMPORTANCE OF GOOD PASTURE 



In forty years* experience I have come to the conclusion that 

 many breeders and growers of swine, whether for the. purebred 

 trade or the market, fail to appreciate the importance of good pas- 

 ture at all times, and the use of succulent feeds at such times and 

 in such parts of the country where snow or cold weather prevents 

 pasture during a portion of the year. 



Probably there is nothing more desirable as a pasture for pigs 

 than some one of the clovers. Of course different states and differ- 

 ent parts of the country grow different kinds of grasses, and the 

 hograiser should select such clovers or grasses as may be adapted 

 to his locality. I would name the common red clover first. While 



Figs in Clover 



no better than alfalfa, it will stand tramping and close cropping 

 better. Of course the clovers in the colder states are not ready 

 for the pigs quite as early as are some other kinds of green feed. 

 Where this is the case, nothing is better than an early sowed field 

 of winter rye that had a fair start the fall previous and also has 

 been used as pasture when not covered with snow. This grain is 

 the earliest to form a good green bite in the early spring, and will 

 give an abundance of good pasture until such time as the clovers 

 or alfalfa are of proper growth. 



It is generally acknowledged that while alfalfa is a splendid 

 pasture, it will not stand close grazing, and it will die out sooner 

 than other grasses; for this reason we have always kept our hogs 

 off the alfalfa fields, and especially should this be done during the 

 winter. 



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