178 PROFITABLE STOCK RAISING 



ing of new tissue ; hence, the kind of feed is im- 

 portant. The nitrogenous or protein-bearing feeds 

 are needed at this time. These are oil meal, bran, 

 beans, peas, oats and barley, and to a moderate ex- 

 tent wheat. The forage plants that are especially 

 suitable for pregnant brood sows are the clovers and 

 their relatives, alfalfa, peas and beans. The or- 

 dinary pasture grasses are also of much value. In 

 feeding sows, always give the ration in such form 

 that the system of the sow will be at its best. 

 Never feed corn in large amounts to breeding stock. 

 It is too heating, and contains too much of the fat- 

 forming elements. During the winter season, the 

 hog's system not only craves green feed, but bulk 

 is demanded. This is especially needed when con- 

 siderable confinement is necessary. To ofifset the 

 lack of green feed, there is nothing that surpasses 

 roots. These may be sliced or pulped and mixed 

 with the grain, or may be given whole, as a noon 

 feed. Some care must be exercised in feeding 

 roots, as they are laxative in effect, and if fed in 

 excessive amounts may bring about profuse action 

 of the bowels. Keep charcoal, ashes and chalk in 

 reach of the sows at all times. These act as a ver- 

 mifuge and preventive of disease and meet the hog's 

 craving for mineral matter. The constant use of 

 such a preparation with a varied ration will, in a 

 large measure, prevent sows from eating their pigs 

 at farrowing time. 



HOW MANY LITTERS? 



One of the mooted questions of hog raising is 

 whether it is profitable to try to raise more than 

 one litter per year from the same breeding stock. 

 This problem is one which must be decided by each 



