RIGHT FEEDING 



growing stock need nitrogenous and mineral matter; and that is why 

 corn should never be too liberal a part of the early feeding. Nitrogenous 

 matter for body tissue, and lime for bone development, can be found in 

 such feeds as alfalfa, clover, vetch, soy bean, cow peas, peanuts, etc., in 

 short, the legume crops, which have such wonderful value. Of all forage 

 crops alfalfa is one of the most important. It is estimated that 5 Ibs of 

 alfalfa will about equal 3 Ibs. of mixed grain, 



THE HOG A Grazing is the cheapest feeding system. For modern 

 GRAZER profitable hog raising, a combination of grazing and feed- 



ing makes always the most economical system, carrying 

 the growing pigs nicely over the summer, ready to fatten. Along with 

 alfalfa, for a cheap pasture, rape is coming more and more into recogni- 

 tion. It is best sown in drills 30 inches apart, and allowed to get a foot 

 high. Some grain should be fed in connection with it. 



CORN PLUS Prof. Henry, of Wisconsin, preaches a larger use of legume 

 crops, rape and roots, which make a cheap growing 

 ration. A little corn could be added; but liberal corn should come 

 at finishing only. Prof. Henry makes a strong plea for more 

 pigs on this basis: alfalfa, clover, Canada peas, cow peas, soy beans, 

 peanuts, rape, roots, etc., can be raised so much cheaper than corn; and 

 besides this, roots and legume crops greatly enrich the soil, thus lessening 

 the first cost to the farmer. Such crops are better suited to growing 

 stock, for they insure fuller development of bone and body, in short a 

 frame ready at full term for the "finishing touches" of King Corn. Why 

 should we limit our pork output by the amount of corn available for 

 feeding, when instead, we could estimate on corn plus all such crops as 

 alfalfa, clover, cow peas, soy beans, rape, roots, etc.? The market is 

 waiting for more pork products. 



SLOP FEED Swine like their meals sloppy. Slop is usually the prin- 

 cipal feed; and most raisers advise plenty of liquid in the 

 trough, whatever the ration. However, the experiment station tests have 

 not yet shown any advantage in slop feeding over dry grain. Of course 

 the swine should have plenty of water, even with slop feeding. Make 

 sure the water is pure, and in winter warm it slightly. 



Table slop that is fresh is an excellent and an economical feed for 

 hogs; but care must be taken to keep it free from soapy dishwater and 

 other dangerous refuse. Lye and soap powders strong in sal soda cause 

 many mysterious epidemics, in some cases mistaken for cholera. There 

 is always this danger in feeding hotel slop, which in addition to alkali 

 may contain such dangerous substances as broken glass, crockery, strings, 

 paper, etc. Another caution is to be sure to feed it fresh, as sour, fer- 

 mented swill is a standing invitation to intestinal disease. 



TUBERCULAR Similarly, care must be taken with creamery by-pro- 

 DANGER ducts. If positively pasteurized there is no danger; but 



if not, your swine are very liable to tubercular infection. 

 Also, if hogs follow tubercular cattle they are pretty sure to become in- 

 fected. It pays to let hogs follow the cattle, in fact it is a low estimate to 

 say 100 Ibs. of shelled corn fed to steers will produce 4 Ibs. of pork on hogs 

 following them; but make sure that the cattle are tested, and free from 

 tuberculosis. 



