iai2. 
TirdE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
THE SOW’S FIRST LITTER. 
1 . Are sows’ first litters as good as suc¬ 
ceeding ones? Should a breeder save the 
sows of the first litter of a young boar 
and sow which are of a very good breed 
(purebred ) ? Would it pay to save the sows 
of this first litter, or wait until the sow 
was more mature? I am desirous of rais¬ 
ing five or six sows of this particular breed. 
Do pigs get a better start if you leave 
them with sow for eight weeks? Some say 
it is better to wean them at six weeks. 
Should hogs of good breed weight at least 
200 pounds dressed when seven months 
old? 2. Is it a fact that Alfalfa will bear 
crops for 50 years? I have a seed cata¬ 
logue before me which makes this statement. 
Does it crop four times a year, and could 
a set of it be obtained on a lowland farm? 
Does not this crop need a heavy application 
of manure every year? T do not see how 
a man could spare that much manure every 
year for his Alfalfa field, as I should think 
he would be robbing the rest of his farm. 
What is the best time of the year to sow 
it? Does anybody ever leave the last mow¬ 
ing on the field? D. E. C. 
Tburmont, Md. 
A ns.— 1. There is no reason why a 
sow’s first litter should not be fully 
equal in quality to succeeding ones, pro¬ 
vided she is mature when the first litter 
is produced. However, it often happens 
that later litters are larger in numbers. 
The age of the boar matters less, but he 
must possess great vigor and have to a 
great extent the characteristics of the 
breed to which he belongs. -In manag¬ 
ing a purebred herd of hogs, both sows 
: nd boars should have considerable ma¬ 
turity and size without too much fat, 
while the feed and handling should be 
the best the owner is able to give them. 
Really, then, if the pigs of the first lit¬ 
ter are strong, lusty fellows and good 
individuals, they will be well worth 
saving. The pigs need not be weaned 
before 10 or 12 weeks, by which time 
they can be eating a full ration of grain, 
grass and slop or such other feeds as 
may be provided. Seven-months-old pigs 
weighing 200 pounds are easy to pro¬ 
duce if kept growing steadily. 
2. Alfalfa'may last 50 or 100 years on 
some of the semi-arid lands of the 
Southwest, but most certainly not east¬ 
ward, where it has to contend with 
grass, weeds, soil acidity, soil poverty, 
lack of drainage and hardpan subsoils. 
Briefly, Alfalfa in the Eastern States 
requires a well-drained soil, heavy ini¬ 
tial applications of lime in some form, 
followed by occasional light dressings. 
Deep plowing is highly desirable, fol¬ 
lowed by thorough pulverization of the 
seed bed. Spring and Summer seedings 
are successful either with or without 
nurse crops, but at seeding time the field 
should receive heavy dressing of phos¬ 
phorus and potash, and perhaps each 
year thereafter if large yields are sought 
and four cuttings to be made. Chemi¬ 
cals are better than manure, as they are 
capable of even distribution and do not 
carry weed and grass seed. In unfavor¬ 
able seasons it may be best to leave the 
last cutting, if not rank, as a Winter 
protection, and this is occasionally done 
by experienced growers. Ten years 
seem to be the extent of the profitable 
existence of an Alfalfa field in Ohio. 
Ohio. w. e. d. 
Ailing Pigs. 
I have a lot of pigs weighing 60 to 75 
pounds each. About a week ago one went 
stiff and finally got so bad that he would 
not get up to eat, so have killed it. We 
found on examination that blood had collected 
along his back, .also on examining the in¬ 
testines found about a foot of them pretty 
well plugged with worms. Pigs had been 
fed hominy and one-tenth tankage. I did 
not think that I was feeding enough to 
make them stiff. Were the worms the cause 
of it? If so, please give a remedy. 
New York. w. b. o. 
Worms cause indigestion and that leads 
to malnutrition and paralysis. Growing 
pigs require an abundance of exercise and 
should have mixed ration. To keep them 
rid of worms dissolve a dram of dried sul¬ 
phate of iron in their slop, once daily for 
five days, for each 100 pounds of pig. This 
may be repeated in two weeks, or so, if 
thought necessary. A. s. 
A PIG IN A PEN. 
The possibilities of a pig in a pen in the 
backyard of every family in the land so 
situated that said pen would not fall within 
the purview of the nuisance law, will be 
found, upon examination, to be important 
enough to hold the attention of the serious 
economist. The version for me as a farmer 
was "a pig in the field,” and it was not 
until the farm was exchanged for a subur¬ 
ban home that the pig in the pen had an 
opportunity to convince me of his superior¬ 
ity over his more rural brother. Feeling 
that the kitchen waste could be utilized 
more, profitably than as a soil fertilizer, an 
8x10 pen was built and three pigs pur¬ 
chased. The pen was set northeast of the 
dwelling from whence the wind almost 
never blows. It was made of lumber scraps, 
was floored and one-half covered with 
planks. A substantial trough with hole and 
peg to drain off surplus rain water and fas¬ 
tened securely, occupied the front end. The 
side next to the fence was added to until 
it projected through far enough to carry 
the swill into the trough as it was poured 
on it. This completed the equipment, and 
for occupants three high-grade pigs weigh¬ 
ing about 30 pounds each were procured. 
For these pigs I willingly paid a good 
premium over ordinary stock. Their feed 
three times a day was dishwater and table 
scraps thickened with shorts. I soon dis¬ 
covered that these pigs were gaining in an 
extraordinary way. It is a rule in nature 
that young animals must have plenty of 
exercise, and that they lose vigor and appe¬ 
tite in confinement. Apparently this does 
not hold true of pigs. Once a day or so 
they would indulge in a play, jumping and 
“woofing” round the pen, but they never 
persisted for long, and usually were to be 
found stretched out in supreme comfort. 
When potatoes were dug, the small ones 
were cooked and added to their feed as 
well as turnips. Putting up such pigs in 
April, by the following November they 
would weigh between 400 and 500 pounds 
each, with flesh of high quality and ex¬ 
ceedingly tender, and without having eaten 
an ear of corn. Penning another trio as 
soon as the first ones were gone, they 
gained at just about the same high ratio 
throughout the cold of Winter and were 
ready for a good market in the Spring. 
Now, after telling what happened, it 
would appear an exceedingly simple thing 
to pen three pigs and do likewise, but my 
observation has convinced me that while 
getting the pig in the pen is indeed simple, 
there are a great many ways to deviate 
from the path that leads to the results 
described. For example. I have seen such 
pens turned into veritable dens of punish¬ 
ment for his pigship. I have seen them 
without shelter from rain and snow and 
without dry floor and bedding, the bottom 
rooted into holes as the pig vainly sought 
dry earth for bedding or to furnish correc¬ 
tives to digestion. After wandering round 
his cell walls all day in dismal discontent, 
tile cold wet night came on with nothing 
but a freezing mudhole to offer him rest. 
Again, kitchen swill alone is frequently re¬ 
lied on to do the fattening. One day it 
may be fairly satisfying; the next, little 
more than a lot of greasy water with noth¬ 
ing filling about it. One day 1 was invited 
to a neighbor’s to see a phenomenon. A pig 
was chewing a nail, they said, and sure 
enough it was. It had found a large wire 
nail and walked about chewing on it con¬ 
stantly. Occasionally it would let it fall 
and then immediately pick it up again. 
After making some inquiries, my diagnosis 
was that the pig’s digestion was all upset. 
He had no shelter, no bed, and some days 
got next to nothing.to eat except dry corn. 
This pig and his companions were poor and 
refused to fatten, although a fair amount 
of corn was fed. Their owner was losing 
money in their keep. 
To enumerate briefly the essentials to 
small pen fattening of pigs, they consist in 
pouring coal oil over each one from nose 
to tail so it will cover the sides ; this kills 
all lice and cuts off scurf from the skin, 
leaving it bright and smooth and seemingly 
promoting the general vigor of the animal; 
the pen should be made perfectly tight on 
the north side, alongside of which should be 
the bedding, always kept dry but furnished 
sparingly, never deep; the north side of 
the pen covered to exclude rain, while the 
open south side admits sunlight; regular 
meals, swill always well thickened with 
shorts; feed not allowed to accumulate in 
trough ; add cooked potatoes and turnips 
through Winter and give waste fruit and 
some green feed during Summer; in very 
hot weather pen must be protected with a 
covering of canvas or tree shade. I am 
inclined to believe that even with field 
hogs, it might pay the farmer to keep such 
a pen, perhaps turning over the care of the 
pigs to the boys, with one of the pigs as 
their reward for good feeding and attention. 
As for the non-farmer who has the room, I 
am quite sure that in most cases it would 
mean getting his supply of pork for half 
price, and pork, too, of a much better qual¬ 
ity than he is accustomed to buy. There 
seems no good reason why the pig in the 
pen should not be one of the regular pets 
of the workingman’s family, provided his 
premises permit the keeping of piggy. 
Missouri. L. K. JOHNSON. 
PHI I IF P|| DC— from imported stock. Females 
UULLIL rUiOcheap. Nelson Bros. Grove City, Pa. 
Milk Prndnrprc for New York City market 
milft riuuuuerfc de siring information how to 
form branches of the Dairymen’s League, write to 
the Secretary. Albert Manning Otisville. N. Y. 
SHETLAND PONIES 
An unceasing source of pleasure and robust health 
to children. Safe and ideal playmates. Inexpensive 
to keep. Highest type. Complete outfits. Satisfac¬ 
tion guaranteed. Illustrated Catalogue. BELLE 
MEADE FARM, Box 20, Markham, Ya. 
2-year-old Registered Berkshire Boar 
FOR SALE. Also YOUNG STOCK 
E. WALTERS.Burlington, Conn. 
SWINE 
JERSEY HED RIGS 
Have many superior qualities: Small frames, but onlya 
flesh fast; long-bodied, good natured, easy keepers. Sows 
have large litters and do not kill pigs at farrowing. Pigs 
grow fast—produce 350 lbs. pork at 9 months. Nothing 
glow about this breed—quick money-makers. Have some 
extra flue offerings now at special prices. Sly reputation 
asa successful bleeder back of every sale. Write me today. 
ARTHUR J. COLLINS, Box R, Moorestown, New Jersey 
KALORAMA FARM 
is now offering a limited number of 
BERKSHIRE PIGS 
from eigtit to twelve weeks old, of 
the highest quality and breeding, 
. . . AT REASONABLE PRICES . . . 
CALVIN J. HUSON, - PENN YAN, N. Y 
Fashionably Bred BERKSHIRES 
Winter offering of Sows, some bred. Also a few 
Boar Pigs. Prices reasonable, quality considered. 
Satisfaction guaranteed. Dr. J. R. Alien, Orwell, N, Y, 
GIVEN ^ Berkshire or Duroe Pig for a few 
hours of your time, stamp for parti¬ 
culars. PENNA, BERKSHIRE COMPANY, 
Pannettsbnrg, Pennsylvania. 
SPRINGBANK BERKSHIRES.-Kf„,B 
in Connecticut. Sows bred for April litters all sold. 
Have 4 sows bred to farrow in July; late, to ser¬ 
vice of Watson's Masterpiece. Will book orders 
for March and April pigs now. Send for new 
Booklet. J. E. WATSON. Pioprietor, Marbledale, Conn. 
Brookside Berkshires 
Three choice yearling Sows, also one Sow sired 
by "Premier Longfellow,” and out of a daugh¬ 
ter of "Lord Pren^iei',” These sows are all 
bred; something nice. J. P. O'KARA, Moravia, N.Y. 
LARGE BERKSHIRES at HIGHWOOD 
No Animal Good Enough Unless Laroe Enough 
When the U. S. Government required hoars of 
immense size and feeding quality with which to 
improve the native stock of Panama, it purchased 
them from our herd. The selection for the Gov¬ 
ernment was made by a representative of one of 
the largest Chicago packinghouses. Isn’t this the 
type of Berkshire you need ? Mature animals 
weigh 600 to 650 lbs. TWENTY SERVICE BOARS 
and FIFTY BRED SOWS FOR SALE. 
H. C. & H. B. HA RPENDING. Dundee, N. Y. 
Reg, P. Chinas, Berkshires, C. Whites. 
Fine, large strains; all ages, mated 
not akin. Bred sows service Boars, 
Jersey and Holstein Calves. Collie 
Pups, Beagles and Poultry.Writefor 
prices & circulars. Hamilton & Co., Ercildoun Pa. 
A FEW MOKE 
REGISTERED CHESTER WHITE 
and LARGE YORKSHIRE BOARS 
READY FOR SERVICE 
Weight about 250 lbs. each. Everyone a perfect 
individual. 
Price of Chester Whites.$25.00 each 
Price of Laroe Yorkshires.... 30.00 each 
Order at once as these boars are selling very rapidly 
HEART’S DELIGHT FARM 
C. E. HAMILTON, Mgr. CHAZY, NEW YORK 
T HOROUGHBRED PIGS—Yorkshires & Chester Whites, 
$7 50 per pair, not akin. Largest breeders in 
Rockland Co. THE EVERGREEN, Suffern, N.Y. 
C A I If—A thoroughbred Chester White 
rUIY OfYDE, s ow , now gestatory wit); pig. 
A bargain. Also a few Southdown Sheep, including 
l^un. High Point Poultry and Hog Farm, Colchester, Conn. 
0 1 P In OF SUPERIOR QUALITY—Aug. & Sept. Pigs, 
■ I, U- O pairs and trios, not akin. Registered in 
buyer’s name. Fred Nickel, Monroe, Midi., R. No.l. 
CHESHIRES— YTie long, deep-bodied, white bacon hog; 
_ prize winners at State and comity fair. 
Write yonr wants. E. K. MORSE, Moravia, N. Y. 
S HELDON FARM registered Durocs. Pigs of both sex. 
Bred Sows. Service Boars. Best of breeding. 
C. K. BARNES, Oxford, N. Y. 
THE BIG, DEEP FELLOWS 
___ _ that grow and mature quickly. 
Pigs and Gilts for sale at all times. 
SHENANGO RIVER FARMS, Transfer, Pa. 
DUROCS 
V OHIO BLUE RIBBON HERD MULE FOOT HOGS 
Largest prize winning show and breeding herd. 
Foundation stock of ullages. Seven big Herd 
Boars. JOHN II. DUNLAP, box K, WILLIAMSPOItT, OHIO 
CATTLE 
Fnrplra Cfnelr Farm Registered Jersey Bulls 
LUlCfia AlULilV r al 111 and Heifers, 6 months to 
2 years old. Chester White, Poland China and 
Berkshire Pigs. Scotch Collie Pups and a variety 
of poultry. Send two-cent stamp for circular. 
EDWARD WALTER, WEST CHESTER, PA. 
Breed Up-Not Down- J y r y cr'i ^'Z 
buy. Superior dairy dams. No better sires. R. F. 
SHANNON, 907 Liberty Street, Pittsburg, Pa, 
LAUREL FARM 
nomically turn farm produce into money— 
JERSEYS, and the swine that do the same 
thing— BERKSHIRES. Which do YOU want? 
J. GRANT MORSE, Hamilton, N. Y. 
Your team will put more heart tnto their work and 
give more service if their collars are properly padded. 
VENTIPLEX is the kind to use, because it is made of 
ventilated fabric which allows the sweat to evaporate and 
keeps the shoulders cool and comfortable. 
You can use all your horses all the time* because 
VENTIPLEX prevents sore shoulders and 
grails. They are worth more than 
other pads* but cost no more. 
Your dealer should have them. but. if not. 
send us his name and we will send sam¬ 
ple promptly. Patented Sept. 20 , 1910. 
Write tor our interentintr folder. 
We also make the famous “Stay-On 
Blanket. 
BURLINGTON BLANKET CO. 
Dept. S3 Burlington, Wia. 
CATTLE 
If 
Young 
WE HAVE A FEW... 
BULLS FOR SALE 
THAT ARF READY FOR SERVICE. 
THEY ARE FROM ADVANCED REGISTRY 
DAMS, AND BY ONE OF THE BEST SIRES 
OF THE HOLSTEIN-FRIESIAN BREED. 
WE ARE SHORT OF ROOM AND WILL 
MAKE PRICES ON THESE FELLOWS 
THAT WILL SURELY MOVE THEM. 
Write for Pedigrees and Prices. 
WOOOCREST FARM 
RIFT ON, N. V. 
Second Annual Public Sale 
Holstein Cattle 
■AND- 
Cheshire Swine 
Property of the New York State College of Agri¬ 
culture at Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. 
FRIDAY, FEB. 23, 1912 
For catalogues address 
H. H. WING, ITHACA, N. Y. 
ftWfi HOLSTEINS 
are bred for large production, good size, strong 
constitution, nm! best individuality. The best 
sires are used in this herd that it is possible to se¬ 
cure. A nice lot of young bulls for sale; no females. 
A. A. CORTELYOU, Somerville N. J. 
READY FOR SERVICE - ! 1 !^Jbrland 
DE KOL 4th, registered show Holstein, born 
Dec. 5, 1910. Nearly all white. Prize winner at 
Fall Fairs. Price, $100 f. o. I). Send for pedigree. 
CLOVKRDALE FARM, Charlotte, N. Y. 
F0r S3i6 1{EQISTERKD HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN BUL.L8. 
Price $50 up. 
ready for ncrvli-c; also calves from A.K.O. rowa. 
The Gates Homestead Farm, Chlttenango, N.Y. 
TTYYl} CAT |7—Two Bull Calves out of R. of 
ruiv OALD Merit bull. Also S. O. W. Leg¬ 
horn Yearling Hens, $1.00 each. Female Collie 
Pups, $-1.00 each. G. L. Ferris & Son, Atwater, N. Y. 
Horses and Mules 
REGISTERED PERCHER0NS For Sale 
One pair mares coming 4 years old: one pair mares 
coming 7 years old. F. S. KENDALL, Elioak, Md. 
P ercheron anil Belgian Stallions and Mares for sale 
at farmers’ prices. A W. GREEN, Route 1, 
Middlefleld, O. Railroad station, East Orwell, O., 
on Penua. R.R., 30 miles north of Youngstown, O. 
HT CTlin “ GENEREUX ’’-PERCHERON STALLION— 
A I O I UU S. H. P. 72400-P. S. A. 70493- 
‘BRILLIANT” (755-1271) blood. 2,300 lbs. Black. 
Imported. Fee $25, without certificate—$40 with. 
MOHEGAN FARM.PEEKSKILL, N.Y. 
JACKS and PERCHERONS 
colts. Some nice Percheron stallions, mares, colts and Tam- 
worth swine. All stock registered or subject to registry. 
Write for circular or visit The Cloverdale Farms . 
H* T. BKOVVN & CO., Lexington, Ky. 
Ws are the largest 
Breeders of Ken¬ 
tucky Mammoth Jacks and registered saddle horses in 1 merles. 
We also breed Big Black Pigs, Tam worth and Hampshire Swine. 
Write for catalogue, or visit the COOK FARMS. 
J. F. COOK & CO., - - LEXINGTON, Ky. 
JACKS and SADDLERS 
HOLSTEIN-FRIESIAN ASS’N, 
Purebred Registered 
HOLSTEIN CATTLE 
These words of Professor Haecker of the University 
of Missouri apply to most milk producers: “The 
average farmer of Minnesota is no dairyman, no 
cow man, he cannot care for small, nervous, high- 
strung delicate animals so that they will yield the milk 
they are really capable of. He must tiave large, robust, 
rugged, even-tempered and heavy milking cows, as they 
will adapt themselves to his conditions and produce the 
maximum butter-fat for existing conditions.” 
Send for Free Illustrated Descriptive Booklets. 
They contain valuable information for any Dairy¬ 
man. 
F. L. HOUGHTON, Secy, Box 105. Brattleboro, Vt. 
