444 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
May 16, 
Live Stock and Dairy 
A TALK ON BERKSHIRES. 
Part II. 
In my last article on Berkshires I 
made but a faint attempt at first prin¬ 
ciples of hog husbandry. I merely set 
forth a few reasons in defense of the 
hog as a necessary animal for the dairy 
farmer, as a money-maker, and a few 
reasons in defense of the Berkshires as 
a choice of the various breeds, also my 
idea as to the type of sow and her 
care as a breeder. Now comes the most 
vital part of the whole hog question for 
successful breeding, and that is the 
boar, as I am firm in the belief that 
the male portion of any race of animals 
has more power to transmit his qual¬ 
ities than the female. After you have 
selected the ideal brood sow, use the 
same sound judgment! in selecting a 
boar that will put stamina and vitality 
into your herd, as he will be capable of 
doing more in that direction than the 
sow. The boar should be long-bodied, 
broad-chested, heavy, square jowls, 
broad between the eyes, large, heavy 
hams and shoulders, heavy strong limbs, 
and an all-round strong, vigorous, ac¬ 
tive fellow. The more docile lie is the 
better, as the Berkshires are a little in¬ 
clined to be of a nervous tempera¬ 
ment. If you begin while he is quite 
young you can break him to mind the 
whip like any other animal. Of course 
it is not supposed that a hog has the in¬ 
tellect of almost any other animal, but 
a little care and pains will go a long 
way toward teaching them to know their 
place, and this is quite essential in the 
handling of a boar, especially if kept to 
any very great age. The older the boar 
up to 8 or 10 years the better the 
stock, although at a very great age 
they are not likely to be as sure breed¬ 
ers. A boar should have at all times a 
clean, dry, well-ventilated pen with a 
clean, roomy place to run in mild 
weather, as they need plenty of exercise. 
They should not be overfed so as to 
get them too fat, as they are not so 
sure breeders, but they should have a 
moderate supply of muscle, strength and 
vigor-making food. Too many times 
the stamina of your herd is spoiled by 
thinking that a little dishwater from 
the family kitchen is good enough for 
the boar. Under no consideration 
should the service boar be allowed to 
run with sows. A boar should be with 
good care matured at six to eight 
months old for a limited amount of ser¬ 
vice. Of course, if hogs are allowed a 
running space out of doors, they will 
root and tear the earth worse than a 
gang-plow, but this is easily remedied by 
putting rings in their noses. This is not 
as difficult a task as a great many people 
seem to make of it. By the rise of a 
strong cord with a slip noose in one end 
and slipped over the upper jaw, one 
man will manage the largest hog while 
another puts the rings in, and, in fact, 
I have done the whole operation alone. 
A litter of pigs should be left with 
the sow to nurse until they are at least 
six weeks old, and seven or even eight 
weeks is better, as the first two months 
of a pig’s life are the making of the 
mature hog. The male pigs that are in¬ 
tended for fattening should be castrated 
at three weeks old. If done at this age 
it allows them ample time to recover 
entirely while they are yet nursing the 
mother. They should also at the age of 
three or four weeks have a place to run 
where the sow cannot get to and, there, 
have a little shelled corn for them to 
nibble at; the dent variety is best, as it 
is not nearly so hard and not so apt to 
make their teeth sore. It will be sur¬ 
prising to see how early in their life 
they will eat corn, and it will make them 
sleek and thrifty youngsters, and at 
weaning time they will have become so 
accustomed to getting their own living 
that the weaning will give them little 
or no setback. 
After they are weaned, gradually dis¬ 
continue the corn diet until you get 
them well under way on skim-milk, and 
I much prefer to have it soured, not 
musty nor rancid. Corn is too fatten¬ 
ing for the young pig at two or three 
months, especially of the Berkshire type. 
I much prefer the wheat feeds; mid¬ 
dlings is best for growing them, and 
barley is an excellent muscle and bone¬ 
giving food. I salt hogs regularly and 
in Winter when they cannot get t© the 
ground I keep charcoal where they can 
eat it as they like, and it is a good 
practice to give a breeding sow a feed 
of bone meal occasionally. I rarely 
feed hogs more than twice a day. I 
have seen many a Berkshire spoiled by 
overfeeding of too fattening foods. What 
they need until they are four or five 
months old is a food to keep them grow¬ 
ing. The last month of their lives, say, 
six or seven months old, a ration of 
equal parts of corn and barley meal will 
put the finishing touches on them for 
the butcher at 175 to 225 pounds 
dressed, and I have had them go even 
better than that at six months. 
I have often been asked the question, 
“Do the Winter litters pay?” My 
answer is, “Yes, if you have a warm, 
dry, well-ventilated, sanitary place for 
them, otherwise, it is better to have 
your sows farrow in the Spring, say 
March and April, or if you can arrange 
the farrowing time for September and 
October so the youngsters will get a 
good start before the cold weather. I 
think the early Fall litters pay the best, 
as early Spring pork brings a better price 
than* Fall pork.” 
The so-called black teeth in a pig is 
a myth. He sheds his pig teeth at two 
to three months old, but if they are not 
in a thriving conditions they sometimes 
retain them longer, and may cause some 
derangement of their digestive organs, 
similar to a child when cutting teeth. Of 
course these teeth are dead, and turn 
black, and should be removed. Other 
than this there is no such disease as the 
so-called “black teeth” in hogs. The 
environment of the hog has quite as 
much to do with his thriftiness as the 
food which he consumes. There is no 
more filthy animal than the hog if left 
to his own inclinations, and no animal 
that enjoys a clean bed better. 
F. D. SQUIERS. 
A Hot Incubator. — About the sixth 
day after filling one of onr Cyphers incu¬ 
bators I accidentally pushed a match box 
under the counterpoise weight. When I 
went to the machine about an hour later 
the mercury was at the top of the tube. 
The thermometer registers 110. so it must 
have been over 112. The eggs were at 
once removed and cooled, and we wrote 
Prof. Gowell staling the circumstances. lie 
expressed his desire that we carry the 
hatch to a finish; therefore we did so. 
After testing there were 147 eggs left, and 
the hatch was about 100 chickens. They 
are now two weeks old and are smart and 
active, much to our gratification. 
Maine. f. c. curtis. 
The Station Bulletins. —I wish to add 
my testimony to that of .1. C. L. as to the 
uniform courtesy with which I have always 
been treated by the experiment stations in 
all of the States. 1 have frequently written 
to the stations in other States for buHetins 
in which 1 was interested and have always 
received them. And moreover, several of 
the stations have continued to send me 
bulletins as issued by them on subjects 
connected with my inquiries. In one in¬ 
stance the station applied to informed me 
that the bulletin I asked for was out of 
print, but at the same time offered to send 
me the copy on file in the station if I 
would promise to return it after reading 
it. What more could anyone ask? 
MERRITT M. CLARK. 
Fairfield Co., Conn. 
LI ^3 13 C* P Going Blind, Jlary Co., 
■ I IV vP Ei vP Iowa City, la. Can Cure. 
COLLIE PUPS from imported Stock. Females 
^ cheap. NELSON BROS,, Grove City, Pa. 
nPIV/IUQ GflATQ- Angora Goats; Milch Goats, 
univmu UUA I OF.o.Groesbeck.B.Y, Hartford, Ct 
ft I fl BIGS, Mar. and April farrow. Mated not 
i< v. akin. Bred sows. All Registered Silver 
Premium Stock. F. J. Schwartz, E. Pharsalia.N.Y 
REG. O. I. C. PIGS Ap, r n' far¬ 
row. Gilts. Not bred. Young service boars. 
CEDAR LAWN FARM, Ludlowville, N. Y. 
nmn PARM Berkshire Hogs and Jersey 
UnlU IMnill Cattle; stock for sale; always 
on hand. M. L. BENHAM, LeRoy, Ohio. 
Compressed Pure-Salt Bricks 
in patent holders is the approved way of animal 
salting. Animals help themselves. Take just 
enough, just as wanted. Refined dairy salt, cheap, 
convenient. Write for free salting book. 
BELMONT STABLE SUPPLY CO., 
Station C, Brooklyn, N. Y, 
RARE OPPORTUNITY 
TO SECURE THOROUGHBRED STOCK. 
Chester White, Poland China and Berkshire Pigs; 
Reg. Jersey bulls and heifers; Scotch Collie Dogs; 
Turkey, Chicken and Duck eggs for hatching. Sena 
2-eeut stamp for circular. 
EDWARD WALTER, West Cliestor, Pa. 
AYRSHIRE CATTLE OF AVON. 
As I am making arrangements for my next trip to 
Scotland, I have a few very choice young Imported 
Cows, also Heifers and Bulls from Imported Sires 
and Dams, which I will offer at very attractive 
prices in order to make room for my next importa¬ 
tion. Write for prices, etc., or call and see them. 
W. P. SCHANCK, Avon. New York. 
PERCHERON and 
FRENCH COACH 
STALLIONS 
for sale. Help the far¬ 
mers make money with 
better horses. Make a 
big profit yourself with 
a good Stallion. Write 
Elwood S. Akin, 
Auburn, N. Y. 
FARMERS AND STOCKMEN 
Have you heard of I)r. 
Thatcher’s Fly Killer, 
—the only one that kills flies? 
Every dairyman loses money 
who does not use it. Butter and 
cheese factories are requested 
to write for special proposi¬ 
tion. Responsible agents 
wanted everywhere. Big money-maker forliustlers. 
Address for full particulars to NOltTHUKV 
WALL PAPLll & PAINT CO.,Potstium,N.Y 
TENTH PUBLIC SALE 
160 HEAD PURE BRED 
Holstein-Friesian Cattle 
SYRACUSE, N.Y., JUNE 4 and 5, 1908. 
THE BEST EVER. 
Breeders’ Consignment Sale Co., Syracuse, N. Y. 
WOODCREST FARM. Rifton. N. Y. WING It. SMITH, Syracuse. N. Y. 
T. A. MITCHELL., Weedsport. N. Y. A. A. CORTELYOU, Somerville, N. 
F. P. KNOWLES, Auburn, Mass. 11. A. MOYER, Syracuse, N. Y. 
STEVENS BROTHEltS-HASTINGS CO., Liverpool. N. Y. 
J. 
COL. B. V. KELLEY, \ 
COL. y D C L S %ERRY, {auctioneers. 
Columbus, O. / 
CATALOGUES 
READY 
MAY 25. 
D. W. CLEVELAND, 
Sales Manager, 
Syracuse, N. Y. 
CREENWOOD HERD HOLSTEINS. 
Headed by our famouH herd boll PRINCE YMBA SPOFFORD whose dam, Ymha 2d’* Pledge Clothilda sold for $ 6000 , ban A.ILO. 
record of 643.9 lbs. milk, 30.38 lbs. blitter In 7 days, 2629.3 lbs. milk, 121.34 11m butter In 30 days, 100.6 lbs. milk In 1 day. 
Ills Sire’s dam Katy Spofford Corona holds World’s champion Jr. 3 year old record of 690.65 lbs. milk, 26.02 lbs. butter in 7 days. 
Write us your needs in Holsteins or come and select for yourself, (either secures an honest and satisfactory deal.) 
E. H. KNAPP & SON,.Route 1, FAUIUS, N. Y. 
VILLAGE FARM 
JERSEY HERD 
H. V. PRENTICE, Prop., Worcester, Mass. 
HERD HEADED BY 
THE GREAT FONTAINE FERN BULL 
GOI/DEN FERN’S 
GREY FONTAINE 
A son of GOLDEN FERN’S LAD. 
Dam Fontaine of St. Saviour, with a butter 
test of 16 lbs. 12 ozs. This herd contains nine 
daughters of Golden Fern’s Lad and several 
daughters of Eminent 2d, Blue Bell’s Blue 
Fox.Caiest, Maple’s Poet, Stockwell and other 
noted sires. 
FERN’S JUBII/EE !S T o. 73852 
HEADS THE 
LAUREL FARM JERSEY HERD 
SIRE—Louisiana Purchase, out of the great 
St. Louis test cow Blossom of Florence, No. 
166108. DAM—Fern of Florence, No. 164625. 
Test, 25 lbs. 8 ozs., in 7 days; 93 lbs. 4 ozs. in 30 
days; 330 lbs. butter in 120 days. 
Increase of Herd for Sale. 
»T. GRANT MORSE, Hamilton, N. Y. 
JERSEY BULL CALVES AND YOUNG BULLS 
Grandsons of Golden I.ad. Eminent, and 
King of St. Lambert. Over 200 head of Regis¬ 
tered stock to select from. ST. LAMBERT 
DAIRY CO., Georgosville, Ohio. 
G RANDSONS of the noted sires DEKOL 
ltUKKF and PAUL BEETS DEKOL, 
from choice cows, for sale cheap, with certifi¬ 
cates of Registry. These calves are from two to 
six months of age. Henry Lacy, Syracuse, N. Y. 
KALORAMA 
BERKSHIRES 
A limited number of young sows bred to a grand 
imported boar for March and April farrow. 
Also a fine lot of fall pigs of the highest quality 
and breeding at very attractive prices. 
CALVIN J. HUSON, Penn Yan, N.Y. 
SPRINGBANK HERD 
LARGE BERKSHIRES 
A fine bunch of Sows coming a year 
old by Grand Premier, No. 80005,bred to Baron Duke 
85th, No. 91215. A son of Premier Longfellow, No. 
68600, Grand Champion at St. Louis in 1904. Booklet 
on application. J. li. WATSON, Marhledale, Conn. 
Large Berkshires 
American and English Breeding. Matings not akin. 
Catalogue on application. 
WIKLOUGHHY FARM, Gettysburg, Pa. 
Aubrey Farm Berkshires, 
Onr herd is headed by Lord Premier of Aubrey, 
an own son of the Great Lord Premier. We are 
offering some of his get, also a few sows in pig to 
him at attractive prices. 
J. G. & J. L. STACEY, Geneva, N. Y. 
Stone Farm Berkshires 
ll/n flffni* B Yearling Sows, bred to choice 
Wu II HI Uoars for April and May farrowing. 
10 Fall Hoars and 50 Spring 
Pigs. All at attractive prices. Address all letters 
to RICHARD H. STONE, Trumansburg, N. Y. 
LOCUST HOME BERKSHIRES 
Direct Premier Longfellow, Lord Premier and 
Masterpiece strains. Young stock for sale. 
S. C. FRENCH, Atwater, N. Y. 
Reg. P, Chinas, Berkshires&G. Whites 
8 wks. and older, mated not ’akin. 
Service Boars, have stock returned, 
refund money if not satisfactory. 
Reg. Holsteins, Heifers, Bulls and 
Cows in Calf. HAMILTON & CO.,Cocliranville,Pa 
SOAPSTONE FARM 
Haverford, Penna. 
We will be glad to quote prices on 
GUERNSEYS, SHROESHIRES, DU= 
ROC-JERSEYS, WHITE MUSCOVYS 
AND WHITE WYANDOTTES. 
BULL CALVES-YOUNG BULLS 
reaily for service, that are of good size and individ¬ 
uality. All are from officially tested dams, and are 
sired by Homestead Girl De Kill's Sarcastic 
Lad. We have sixty daughters of this Hull that 
will he kept in the Herd and officially tested. 
Write for description and prices. 
WOODCREST FARM, 
Rifton, Ulster County, New York. 
HOLSTEIN-FRIESIAN HEIFERS 
For Sale at FARMERS’ PRICES. 
I have six two-year old Registered Heifers for 
sale; large, handsome, and perfectly marked. Due 
to calve in May; all bred to the great BULL, Sir 
Segis Inka I’osch, No 38406; also four hoifors 14 
months old, all bred to same bull. Also a number 
of hull calves from one to six months old, sirod by 
same hull. Pedigrees and full descriptions fur¬ 
nished on request. 
I’. II. McLENNAN, Syracuse, N. Y. 
The BLOOMINGDALE HERD OF 
IIOUSTKIN-FRIESIANS 
are bred for largo production. Good size, Strong 
Constitution, Best Individuality. 
If those are the kind you want write or como to 
see them. 125 to select from. Animals of both sexes 
and all agos to offer at prices that will please you. 
A special offer on some nicely bred Bum, Calves. 
A. A. CORTELYOU, Somerville, N. J. 
Holstein - Friesians. 
GENIE CLOTII IT,1)E, one of the best 
world’s official record cows for one day’s 
butter production. 
PONTIAC CII1 RON, one of the best sons 
of Hengerveld UeKol. 
Hull and Heifer Calves for Sale. 
W. IV. CHENEY, - Manlius, N. Y. 
ALL ABOUT HOLSTEINS 
Send for free illustrated pamphlet describing 
this groat breed of cattle. 
J^Jjj^HOUfiHIDN^jsec^^Brattleboro^^t^ 
JERSEY CATTLE, 
BERKSHIRE HOGS, 
R. F. SHANNON, 907 Liberty St., Pittsburg, Pa. 
LARGE IMPROVED ENGLISH YORKSHIRES. 
from best Iinportation. Address 
A. A. BRADLEY, Frewsburg, New York. 
SWISS 
Cow Bells 
Patented Design. Made from 
Finest Quality Swiss 
Bell Metal. 
Wo sell exclusively to the job¬ 
bing trade, but to introduce 
these delightfully musical 
toned Swiss Cow Bells more _ 
generally, offer them singly or in sets, tuneu to ac¬ 
cord. Made in 8 different sizes, with extra fine and 
substantial straps, or singly with or without straps. 
Send for circular of Cow, Sheep and Turkey Bells, 
etc. Wo are the oldest Bell Makers in America. 
BEVIN BROS. MFO. CO., EAST HAMPTON, CONN. 
•.THE 
JS: ANIMALS* 
Kills every fly it strikes. Keeps all insect pests 
off cows in pasture longcrthanany imitation. Absolutely 
harmless. Cures all sores. Used by same dairymen 
since 1885. Kills lice and mites. If dealer offers sub¬ 
stitute. send ur $lfor Improved 3-tube Sprayer and en¬ 
ough 8HOO-FLY to protect200 cows. Name express of¬ 
fice. $ I returned ifeowHiiot protected. Fruubook 1<*t 
Shoo-Fly M(r. Co., 1317 N. 10th St.. Phila.. Pa. 
ROUGH-ON-FLIES 
You couldn’t fight flies and do your best 
work; neither can a cow. Protect your stock 
with “Kough-on-Flies.” it Is a wonderful 
new spraying oreparation that increases the 
production of milk and 
eggs by killing tlio insect 
pests that annoy your 
ynnr Stock aiul poultry. Easy, 
III U HE safe and economical to use. 
Try it at our risk. Your 
increased profits will 
aniazo you. 
Trial g a 11 o n, with 
sprayer, $2.00, express pre¬ 
paid to any point east of tlio Rocky Moun¬ 
tains. Satisfaction guaranteed, or money re¬ 
funded, and goods returnable at our expense. 
Trade discount to agents. 
EGGS 
MORE 
MILK 
EUREKA MOWER CO., Utica, N. 
Full line of Sprayersfor all purposes- 
Y. 
