• CHAPTEE THREE. 



GREAT IMPORTANCE OF GOOD PASTURE. 



In forty years ' experience as a breeder of swine, I have 

 come to the conclusion that many breeders and growers of 

 swine, whether for pure bred trade or the market, fail to 

 realize the importance of good pasture at all times, and the 

 use of succulent feeds at such times and in such parts of 

 the country where snow or cold weather prevents pasture 

 during a portion of the year. 



Probably there is nothing more desirable as a pasture 

 for pigs than some one of the clovers. Of course different 

 States and different parts of the country grow different 

 kinds of grasses, and the hog raiser should select such 

 clovers or grasses as may be adapted to his locality. I 

 would name the common red clover first. While no better 

 than alfalfa, it will stand tramping and close cropping bet- 

 ter. Of course the clovers in the colder States are not 

 ready for the pigs quite as early as are some other kinds 

 of green feed. Where this is the case, nothing is better 

 than an early sowed field of winter rye that had a fair 

 start the fall previous and also has been used as pas- 

 ture when not covered with snow. This grain is the earl- 

 iest to form a good green bite in the early spring, and will 

 give an abundance of good pasture until such time as the 

 clovers or alfalfa are of proper growth. 



I believe it is generally acknowledged that while alfalfa 

 is a splendid pasture, it will not stand close grazing, and 

 it will die out sooner than other grasses; for this reason 

 we have always kept our hogs off the alfalfa fields, and 

 especially should this be done during the winter. 



If there is any prospect in the spring of the pasture lot 

 becoming short or danger of its becoming injured by dry 

 weather it is desirable to prepare for this emergency by 



