34 SWIXE PRACTICE 



ten days after farrowing. Of that quantity about one-third is re- 

 quired for tlie maintenance of the sow and two-thirds for the pro- 

 duction of milk. 



The preparation of food stuff for swine is worthy of considera- 

 tion. It has been found that grinding corn effected a saving in the 

 majority of tests, sufficient to more than pay for the grinding; thus 

 making grinding an economical proposition for the feeder. It is 

 probable that corn, oats or like products should not be cooked. 

 Potatoes and some other allied products are probably more palat- 

 able and, consequently, make better feed when cooked. The value 

 of soaking feed has been another disputed question. It is doubtful 

 whether soaked feed has any superior quality to the original dry 

 feed, and there are many objections to the soaking of feed. There- 

 fore, in a general way, it may be said that it is not practical to 

 soak feed for swine. 



The method of feeding is attracting considerable attention at the 

 present time and recently there has been perfected a variety of 

 self-feeders for hogs. These appliances are in demand because they 

 diminish the cost of production in that they save labor, time and 

 feed. Just the style of self-feeder that should be selected depends 

 entirely upon circumstances and the purpose for which it is de- 

 signed. Self-feeders are available in which any known kind of food stuff 

 can be used. Some self-feeders are so constructed that the differ- 

 ent food ingredients can be -mixed. In others these various foods 

 can be kept separate. Self-feeders should be cheap, durable, roomy, 

 easily regulated for different kinds of feed and so constructed that 

 there will be little difficulty from clogging of the trough. Feeders 

 that have installed self-feeders have found that it is necessary to 

 keep a close watch to see that the feeder does not become clogged 

 and to see that it is properly located and always contains feed. 

 When self-feeders are to supply feed for hogs that are on pasture 

 they should be placed near to the pasture, or better, within the pas- 

 ture; otherwise, the hogs will do little grazing. 



FEEDING REQUIRES CARE .AND JUDGMENT 



The feeding of swine requires care and judgment. Good results 

 are obtained if the feeder regulates the amount of feed and the 

 methods of feeding. For full feeding the feed should be increased 

 gradually. Swine that have been simultaneously immunized against 

 cholera should be given not more than half of their accustomed 



