

THE SWINE INDUSTRY l8l 



raisers and breeders to rely on pasture for feed 

 much more than was formerly customary. All 

 pasture grasses are not of equal value. The 

 poorest kinds are much better than none, but the 

 benefit received from any depends largely upon 

 the management of both hogs and pasture. Al- 

 falfa stands at the head of the list, clover a close 

 second, with white clover, June grass and timothy 

 in the order named. 



It is a mistake to compel the hogs to depend entirely 

 upon the grass, even though the prices of grain and 

 mill feeds are high. The stomach of the pig is not 

 like that of the sheep and cow, and cannot be used 

 as a repository for a large amount of coarse feed 

 at one time. It has been found by experience and 

 experiment that hogs fed a half ration of cornmeal 

 while running to clover will make as rapid gains 

 as they will if confined and fed a whole ration, and 

 that, too, of a better quality of meat than that made 

 wholly from corn. The grass gives bulk to the 

 mass in the stomach, enabling the gastric juice to 

 circulate more freely through it, and digestion is 

 more completely accomplished than if grain con- 

 stitutes the entire ration. And, further, the clover 

 contains the elements that promote the growth of 

 bone and muscle which helps to make up a pretty 

 well-balanced ration. 



PASTURE AND FORAGE 



For late fall and winter pasture, rape and rye are 

 two of the most valuable crops which the farmer in 

 the corn belt can raise. Where he has an abundance 

 of alfalfa or clover so that it will not be pastured 

 too closely during the summer, this can be used dur- 

 ing the greater part of the winter. It will remain 

 in a partially green condition and will be eaten 



