FEEDS FOR SWINE 371 



age on alfalfa pasture the alfalfa produced 623 to 865 lbs. of pork 

 per acre, after deducting the gains to be credited to the concentrates 

 fed, and without crediting the alfalfa with the hay cut from the pas- 

 ture. In one trial an acre of alfalfa, supplemented by corn and 

 tankage, carried an average of over 16 spring pigs for 180 days, pro- 

 ducing 1.05 lbs. of gain per head daily. In addition nearly 2 tons 

 of hay was cut per acre from the plot during the season. With corn 

 at $0.50 pet bushel and tankage at $50 per ton, the concentrates fed 

 cost only $3.40 per 100 lbs. of gain. 



Pigs fed corn alone on alfalfa pasture make fairly satisfactory 

 gains, since the alfalfa goes far toward balancing the corn allowance. 

 More rapid gains are, however, secured when some concentrate is fed 

 in addition, 5 lbs. of tankage to 95 lbs. of corn (or an equivalent 

 amount of other supplements) being sufficient for pigs weighing 100 

 lbs. or over. 



Clover pasture. — In the northern and central states red clover is 

 one of the most valuable pasture crops for pigs, being surpassed only 

 by alfalfa and perhaps by rape. Since early 'pasturing may kill 

 clover, pigs should not be turned on until it has made a good growth. 

 Clover does not furnish as constant a supply of succulent feed as does 

 alfalfa, tending to become woody late in the summer, but clipping will 

 greatly aid in inducing a new growth. On soils too wet or too acid 

 for red clover, alsike clover may be grown. Especially in the south- 

 eastern states crimson clover, sown as a winter annual, furnishes valu- 

 able spring pasture for pigs. 



On soils not well adapted to alfalfa or red clover, sweet clover may 

 often be used to advantage as a pasture for pigs. The first year's 

 growth is best suited to pigs, as it is less coarse and woody. To en- 

 courage the growth of new shoots the crop should be pastured reason- 

 ably close and the tall growth clipped with a mower. 



Rape pasture. — Over the greater part of the northern United States 

 rape is unsurpassed as an annual forage crop for swine. As it may 

 be sown both early and late in the season, forage may be provided at 

 any desired time. The best yields are usually obtained with spring 

 seeding and if the crop is not pastured too closely growth will con- 

 tinue until fall. Pigs should not be turned on the rape until it is 

 10 to 14 inches high and when it is pastured down to 4 or 5 leaves to 

 the plant the animals should be transferred to another plot to give 

 the crop a chance to recover. Rape is often grown in combination 

 with oats or oats and field peas for pig pasture. 



In 6 trials at corn-belt stations in which rape pasture was compared 

 with alfalfa, the pigs on rape pasture made practically as large aver- 

 age gains as those on alfalfa pasture and required only 340 lbs. of con- 



