292 FARM ANIMALS 
should be reduced to a half or a third of the whole ra- 
tion. Corn is the principal food for both lard and bacon 
hogs, and may compose as much as 75 or 80 per cent of 
the ration in bacon production. Middlings and tankage 
may be used for the balance. In Canada, where bacon 
is in much favor, barley is a common food for hogs. It 
is fed both ground and soaked. Other foods used in 
combination are skim milk, peas, oats and middlings. If 
oats are used they should be crushed. The most profit 
from bacon is secured when clover, alfalfa, cowpeas or 
rape are provided as forage. 
HoccING OFF THE CORN 
Hogs are here harvesting the corn crop. They not only eat all of the ears, but 
consume the greater part of the stalks. When the fat hogs are removed, brood 
sows and pigs should be turned into the field to clean up. 
15. Hogs as corn harvesters——Not only may hogs 
produce more with less grain in hogging off, but they 
often mature in less time than when pen fed. It is not 
unusual to save at least a quarter of the fattening period 
where this method is followed. Young hogs weighing 
80 to 125 pounds are best in the green cornfield. At 
this size they have good frames, are mature enough, and 
carry enough flesh to fatten in a few weeks and be ready 
for market. Brood sows also will make good use of 
