178 SWINE 



The alfalfa is used primarily for furnishing bulk. At 

 the beginning of the period, with the pigs two months of 

 age, they will not be able to use a very large quantity 

 of this. As they grow, however, during the next two or 

 three months they will be able to take more and the quan- 

 tity in the ration should be increased so that the appetite 

 of the pigs is nearly satisfied. After four or five months 

 of age it will be necessary to gradually decrease the 

 alfalfa in order to make room for the gradually increasing 

 quantity of the protein and carbohydrate nutrients. The 

 reduction in the amount of water will also help to make 

 possible the increase in protein and carbohydrate. 



If the alfalfa above mentioned is fed in the form of 

 meal, it might be mixed with the balance of the feeds in 

 the slop. But this is an expensive form in which to feed 

 alfalfa. In the summer time pigs may be allowed to eat 

 it from the pasture. In winter the alfalfa may be chopped 

 as fine as possible with an ordinary fodder cutter, and 

 then mixed with a little meal and sufficient hot water or 

 steam to thoroughly wet it. This will be eaten very read- 

 ily if fed while the pigs are hungry. However, it takes 

 training to accustom a pig to eat any feed. If bran is used 

 as a roughage, it may be mixed into the slop. 



COMPOUNDING RATIONS. 



This is a subject that ordinarily is not given very much 

 consideration, but at the same time it is one of the great- 

 est importance. One of the advantages that is usually 

 accredited to ground corn as compared with whole corn 

 should be accredited to the subject under discussion, 

 namely, — combining the feeds of a ration. This permits of 

 a better distribution of the protein which produces better 

 results ; hence ground corn, which is better adapted to the 



