88 SWINE GEORGE E. DAY. 



Hairy Vetch. The seed of this crop is very expensive. 

 There is no doubt, however, that it makes an excellent pas- 

 ture crop for swine. If not pastured too closely, it grows 

 up quickly when the hogs are removed. For early spring 

 pasture, it should be sown during the latter part of August, 

 so that it can make a considerable growth the preceding fall. 

 About one and one-half bushels of seed per acre are 

 required. 



Red Clover. This crop is best suited for pasture, and 

 the hogs should be given quite a large range or the clover 

 will likely be killed out. It is especially useful for breeding 

 sows. 



Alfalfa. Where the soil and other conditions are suit- 

 able, alfalfa makes an almost ideal pasture for swine. Care 

 must be taken, however, not to pasture too closely or the 

 crop may be destroyed. 



Soja Beans. This crop makes a valuable soiling crop for 

 swine, but is not suitable for pasture. It has a high feeding 

 value and hogs eat it readily. The crop is usually sown at 

 the rate of one-half bushel per acre in drills two feet apart. 

 The medium green variety is quite satisfactory for this 

 purpose. It is usually sown in the early part of May. 

 Though the soja bean has a higher feeding value than rape, 

 it does not yield so much fodder per acre, and is rather more 

 trouble to plant. 



Green Rye. Fall sown rye will make a very earh' spring 

 pasture, and after it has been eaten off, the ground may be 

 sown with some other crop such as rape. It has not a very 

 high feeding value and its main recommendation is the fact 

 that it gives very early pasture. 



Alfalfa Hay. As a food for swine, the second or third 

 cutting of alfalfa is the most satisfactory, the first cutting 

 being somewhat coarse. Numerous experiments have been 

 made with alfalfa as a substitute for part of the meal ration 

 for hogs, and while it will not entirely substitute ' meal, at 

 the same time it gives bulk and variety to the food and ef- 



