262 CARE OF SWINE 



material, in comparison with com ; such as barley, oats, 

 peas, soy beans, shorts, middlings, and skim milk. Sum- 

 mer pasture is good to furnish green material and give 

 time for the development of the animal, but too much green 

 forage ought not be fed, as it tends to produce a soft car- 

 cass. Hogs from one of the bacon breeds should be used 

 for the production of bacon. 



Pasture for Pigs. — During recent years much atten- 

 tion has been given to the production of pork on pasture 

 with a self-feeder. This has proven to be a most economical 

 method of pork production. The pigs are farrowed late 

 enough in the spring so that they may be turned on pas- 



Fig. 95. — ' Alfalfa rack for hogs. 



ture about weaning time. Alfalfa and clover or common 

 blue grass are very acceptable permanent pasture for pigs.^ 

 Peas, oats and peas, rape, or other especially planted crop,' 

 are often preferred. Best results are obtained from pigs 

 fed a small allowance of skim milk and having free access 

 to a self-feeder stocked with corn or other mixed feeds. — 

 Hog Cholera. — Hog cholera is one of the worst dis- 

 eases with which the swine producer has to contend.' It is- 

 caused by virulent germs which live for a long time in bed- 



