12 Pork Production 



as regards feed supply vary from year to year and from 

 place to place, while variations in the maturity and con- 

 dition of the sows require modifications in the rations. 

 The best treatment of the sows by the feeder must be 

 determined for each particular farm and region, and should 

 take account especially of the age and flesh of the sows, 

 and the feeds which are available and cheapest. 



If there is considerable variation in the herd in regard 

 to age and condition of the sows, they should be graded. 

 If only those sows of the same maturity and general 

 condition are together at feeding time, the rations can 

 be measured more accurately to their needs. The average 

 farm can well afford the facilities which will make prac- 

 ticable the separation of the gilts which are intended for 

 breeding from the mature sows. 



Thin mature sows should be fed so that they will be 

 gaining a week or more before the opening of the breeding 

 season. A most practical and satisfactory combination 

 for the corn-belt is com and a run of some green feed of 

 a leguminous nature. Com and alfalfa, or clover, or 

 soybean, or cowpea forage make an ideal diet. Where 

 these crops are not available, as in the North when breed- 

 ing in November and December, fall-sown rye, blue- 

 grass, or the ordinary tame pastures, will be valuable. 

 Free access to a legume hay fed in racks will help to make 

 up for the loss of green feed when the latitude and season 

 make these unavailable. In those sections which regu- 

 larly grow roots there is available a succulence which is 

 much relished and of value in bringing about the condition 

 of breeding thrift desired. With non-leguminous green 

 feeds, a small amount of some protein feed should be 

 given along with the com, the proportion of which should 

 be determined in each case by the quality of the pasture. 



