410 AGRICULTURE 



feeding, called "hogging down" corn, gives the hogs about 

 the right amount of exercise, allows them to eat whenever 

 they desire, and saves the farmer the labor of husking, 

 hauling and feeding. The same amount of corn will also 

 produce more pork. 



TOPICS FOR INVESTIGATION 



1. Is attention given on your home farm to feeding 

 hogs a balanced ration? If so, what are the feeds used? 

 What is the ration used for fattening ? 



2. If, when pigs are allowed to "hog down" corn it 

 takes eight pounds of corn to produce one pound of pork, but 

 requires ten pounds of corn to make a pound of pork when 

 the corn is fed in a pen, what will be the difference in the 

 value, of the corn fed twenty hogs while they are making an 

 average gain of seventy-five pounds each, corn being worth 

 fifty-five cents a bushel ? 



5. Diseases Affecting Hogs 



Young pigs are not particularly liable to any one dis- 

 ease, but easily fall prey to troubles arising from improper 

 care. Cold, wet, dirty pens cause the death of many new- 

 farrowed pigs. Dusty floors, filthy mud-holes and un- 

 cleaned troughs are always harmful. Exposure to extreme 

 cold or to burning heat is sure to tell in loss of health or 

 weight. It is safe to say that half the troubles attacking 

 the younger pigs, at least, could be saved by providing them 

 with more sanitary surroundings. 



Thumps. This is a disease that manifests itself in a 

 spasmodic manner of breathing, which suggests the name. 

 It is usually a digestive trouble caused by over-feeding 

 and lack of exercise. Certain worms may also cause 

 thumps. The best preventive for thumps, especially with 

 young hogs, is plenty of pasture with green feed. The 



