THE FEEDING OF SWINE 477 



fall and early winter. The custom of planting the pumpkins 

 in the corn results in being able to grow them at almost no ex- 

 pense; and their keeping qualities add to their value as a suc- 

 culent food for winter feeding. In addition to their succulence 

 the seed is very rich in protein; thus they make a very good 

 supplement for corn. Pumpkin seeds are a natural vermifuge. 

 When many pumpkins are fed, the animals should be watched 

 closely to see that they do not get an overfeed of seed and di- 

 gestive disorders follow. 



Feeding the herd in winter 



More care must be given the feeding of the herd in winter 

 than in summer; although if roots or other succulent food has 

 been provided, the matter will be less difficult than if the 

 feeder is obliged to rely entirely on dry feeds. The cheapness 

 and the great abundance of corn really adds to the difficulty 

 of wintering the herd. The great temptation all through the 

 corn-belt is to feed a too exclusive corn ration. This difficulty 

 is increased by the fact that no food equals corn in the fatten- 

 ing of swine; and the majority of swine feeders let the herd run 

 with the fattening swine, with the result that the breeding 

 herd gets so fat that its breeding powers are materially lessened, 

 the sows often become barren, and those that do breed farrow 

 small litters of pigs lacking thrift and vigor. 



To avoid such difficulties, the herd must be separated from 

 the fattening swine and fed a growing ration rather than a 

 fattening ration. The object should be to keep the herd thrifty, 

 but not fat. This can best be done by feeding such grains as 

 wheat bran, middlings, and the like, also roots, pumpkins, and 

 skim-milk for succulence. Alfalfa, clover, or cowpea hay in small 

 quantities may be fed with profit. Hay should be fed from a rack 

 and not thrown upon the ground, as the animals will tramp it 

 under their feet. When the hay is clean and sweet, and slightly 

 salty, the swine will eat it and be much benefited thereby. 



