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A YEAR IN AGRICULTURE 

 FEED AND MANAGEMENT OF SWINE 



Pig diet. The pig can make more meat from the food he 

 eats than any other animal, with the possible exception of 

 the hen. Five and one-half pounds of corn should make a 

 pound of pork. Although we usually think of the pig as 

 a grain eating animal, he will eat a greater variety of food 

 than any other domestic animal. By choice his diet would 

 include grain, grass, nuts, roots, snakes, worms, etc. Hogs 

 should have access to pasture, for grass is a healthful diet 

 for them. Clover, alfalfa, peas, and rape are excellent sum- 

 mer foods for the development of hogs, while in winter roots 

 or silage, together with the grain ration, should be regularly 

 fed. Every pig should have free access to charcoal or coal 

 screenings, ashes, slacked lime, and salt. 



During hot weather the hog craves a pool of water to 

 reduce his temperature, for he perspires but little. In win- 

 ter warm shelter for hogs reduces the amount of feed neces- 

 sary. 



Supplementing corn in feeding hogs. Corn is essentially a 

 fat forming feed, and is, therefore, not a good bone and 

 muscle producer. Exclusive corn feeding works great harm 

 in the case of young growing pigs, and numerous experiments 

 have been conducted in combining other feeds with corn in 

 order to overcome its objectionable features. When prop- 

 erly combined with a supplementary feed, relatively rich in 

 protein and minerals, corn is the best hog feed obtainable. 

 Pasture is an excellent supplement to corn, especially clover 

 and alfalfa. Tankage and meat meals may be given in small 



