THE FEEDING OF SWINE 481 



months ; alfalfa from ten to fifteen for five months ; cowpeas 

 six to eight for two or three months; and artichokes should 

 support from six to ten hogs to the acre for a considerable length 

 of time in the late fall. Clover, alfalfa or cowpea pasture is 

 to be preferred. Alfalfa in those sections where it will thrive 

 is regarded as the leading pasture plant for swine. It should 

 not be grazed so closely as to make mowing unnecessary. To 

 keep alfalfa in the best condition it should be mowed from one to 

 three times in a season. These estimates are to be modified 

 according to conditions. 



It is very important that fattening swine be provided with 

 shade and an abundance of cool, fresh water. The sebacious 

 glands of the hog are very rudimentary, and the animal can- 

 not perspire and therefore must keep cool by radiation. This 

 is one reason why hogs desire mud wallows, and for best results 

 these must be provided, particularly for thick, fat animals, which 

 suffer greatly with the heat during the warm summer months. 

 To avoid the extreme heat of summer, many swine feeders plan 

 to have the animals fat by the first of July, when they are sold. 



Feeding the lard-hog in winter. — When roots or other succu- 

 lence is available for winter use, much better results can be 

 obtained than if dry feed alone must be depended on. Sugar- 

 beets, roots, turnips, potatoes, artichokes, and pumpkins are 

 often used. No succulence exceeds skim-milk for winter feed- 

 ing. In the absence of any other succulent food, mashes 

 should be made, as suggested for summer feeding. For best 

 results, mash or succulent food, grain, and a small amount of dry 

 forage should be fed. Sweet, clean clover or alfalfa hay should 

 constitute the dry forage. It should be fed from a rack. 



Care should be exercised in providing dry quarters and lots 

 as free from mud as possible. The warmth of the quarters best 

 suited for fattening swine may depend somewhat on the feeds 

 used. When corn, in one of its many forms, as ear corn, shelled 

 corn, corn meal, and the like, constitutes the major part of the 

 2i 



