138 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



They give them all they can eat of corn-meal, with a little 

 bran, keeping up the process of growth and fattening until fit 

 to be killed. Whichever method is adopted, the principal 

 object, that of converting the pig into pork at the lowest cost, 

 in the shortest time, should be kept in mind. It is not good 

 policy to stint young growing pigs, and only to feed barely 

 enough to insure their mere living. All that is fed to sustain 

 life and repair disintegrating and wasting tissues, and keep- 

 ing up the heat of the body, is only so much food given for a 

 small return, while a very little more in addition, and all this 

 is not only accomplished, but the increase of growth and 

 thrift is more than sufficient to repay the cost of the extra 

 food. The kind of food to be used in the period of growth 

 depends somewhat on circumstances. Mr. Mattoon, of this 

 city, feeds his growing stock upon bran and scraps until the 

 time of fattening, then gradually diminishing the bran and 

 giving corn-meal until the latter, with a few scraps, are given 

 altogether. By this process his hogs are thrifty, rapidly 

 attain their growth, and are soon ready for market. By the 

 use of the bran and scraps, the quality of the excrement is 

 also wonderfully increased in value. 



Whatever method is adopted in the feeding and fattening 

 of swine, it should be carried out systematically; the feed in 

 quantity should be judiciously but steadily increased, and 

 they should be made to eat all they possibly can. To this 

 end a variety of food should be given them, for it improves 

 their appetite, keeps them healthy, and accelerates the fatten- 

 ing process. Clover, for young or old hogs, is not only a 

 cheap, but a most appetizing substance. It improves the 

 digestion, regulates the secretions, and assists in producing a 

 more perfect assimilation of the higher concentrated food. 



Finally, a plenty of good, sweet, wholesome food, dry, 

 clean, and warm quarters, and system and regularity in the 

 feeding, will keep your swine healthy, and with good, judi- 

 cious management, will afford, in their pork and in the manure 

 which they will make, a more profitable return for the time, 

 the trouble and expense bestowed upon them, than is some- 

 times supposed. 



P. LeB. Stickney, for the Committee. 



