CHAPTER XIII. 



Alfalfa for Swine 



HOGS WILL EAT HAY 



In the preceding chapter it was stated that alfalfa is a 

 valuable pasture or soiling crop for pigs. It is equally- 

 true that they will actually eat alfalfa hay. A hog is not 

 usually ranked as a hay-eating animal but an exception 

 must be made as to his eating alfalfa hay. As a pasture 

 or soiling crop for sows and young pigs, alfalfa proves a 

 wonderfully helpful ration for milk-making in the sow 

 and for growth in the pigs. Experiments have shown 

 that pigs make better growth when the dam is fed consid- 

 erable alfalfa than those from sows fed the best of com- 

 mercial rations, but with no alfalfa. Given two sets of 

 pigs, one fed clover, rape and soaked corn and the other 

 fed only alfalfa forage, the latter seemed to grow the 

 more rapidly. For brood sows it is a most valuable food, 

 either as hay, a soiling crop, or as pasture. The litters of 

 such sows are generally large and vigorous and the dams 

 have a strong flow of nutritious milk. Alfalfa meal in 

 slop may be used with profit where the hay is not to be 

 obtained. It is also claimed that sows fed on alfalfa dur- 

 ing pregnancy will not devour their young, its mineral 

 elements seeming to satisfy the appetite of the sow, while 

 contributing to the fetal development of the pigs. 



