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Show VETERlNflRY SCIENCE I Edited by Dr. H. J. Frederick, State Agricultural College. SWINE RAISING. Prof. F. W. Merrill. If there is an,y, one thing that the farmers of Beaver county ought to take an interest in it is the swine industry. Large sums of money leave this county every month of the year for pork and its products. It is roughly estimated that 50,000 pounds of lard arc shipped into Beaver Beav-er City alone every year. It is also safe to say that our stores will "be under the necessity of shipping cured hams and bacon into our town every month from now on to the extent of $150 to $200. It is reported by those who handle the meat for the community com-munity that fresh pork can . not be procured at any price. Our soil and climate for the growing grow-ing of pork producing foods arc unsurpassed. un-surpassed. It is not necessary for farmers to have corn in abundance, because just as quick and economical gains can be made with alfalfa, the cereal common com-mon to our locality, skim milk and roots. Like all other phases of agricultural agricul-tural work the man must study the business. Success "n this as in other branches of agriculture depends upon the man and not upon the pigs. There is no best breed. The man must choose the breed he likes best. Principles of selection arc as important import-ant in selecting pigs as. in selecting cows, the only difference being in the amount invested. In selecting a brood sow with which to start in the business we should study the anctistry, the individual indi-vidual qualities, and form, special attention at-tention being given to the individuality. individuali-ty. Purity of breed is essential as in other farm animals, high-grade animals arc always preferable to grades or scrubs. Select from mature dam, a sov whose ancestors are known to be good breeds, good feeders, and known If) possess- good nursing qualities. The sow most desired is the regular breeder that produces large litters of strong pigs and raises all of them. She should be of a 'kind motherly disposition; don't keep a sow that shows a tendency to destroy the little ones. Young sows should not be bred under ten months of age and then only when well developed. If the sow is under size for the age or is not doing well the breeding should be deferred six or eight weeks. It is a sad mistake to breed at too young an age, especially so when In an undeveloped condition; it hinder development and lowers the vitality in both sow and litter. When so bred the litters arc small, the pigs weak and the feeding qualities of both arc injured. The male should not be used until nine or ten months old, and from then until eighteen months old to only a limited extent. Excessive Ex-cessive use in early life tends toward physical decay in the male and results re-sults will be s.mall litters and weak-pigs. weak-pigs. If the ma'c and female arc well cared for they may be kept until five vl or six years old. A sow for breed- ing purposes is not at her best until I she has produced her third or fourth v litter. Immature animals should not be mated, one or the other should be mature. "The care of the sow is very important. im-portant. Suitable food and plenty of exercise should be provided. The food should be nitrogenous in char-actcr char-actcr such as will furnish material for growth and build up a strong body. Foods rich in protein arc best suited to pregnant and growing ant-ma's ant-ma's and among such foods arc bran, wheat, oats, shorts, rye, barley, peas. skim milk and luccrn. m "The feeding should be rcgujar and" such quantity given as will kecpThe animal ini a robust growing condition but extremes of thrift must be avoided. avoid-ed. Bran, oats and barley are more or less coarse and bulky and shoul.l not be fed singly or in too great proportions, but they may be advantageously advan-tageously fed along with shorts, wheat, rye and skim milk. Wheat and rye in unground condition shouH be soaked. Pasture for summer and roots and luccrn for winter, as addt- tions to the grain rations, should bo provided if possible. The greatest returns will be secured from skim -- ! milk when three to five pounds of it arc feed to one pound of grain. In winter the sows should have a'ceens to salt and ashes and should be given a large run where they may haw lots of exercise. "The question is often asked, how much grain should a sow on luccrn receive? A brood sow running on luccrn will do well1 on one pound of grain to every 100 pounds of live weight, but if she is ill thin condition a little more than this amount should no fed, but a -reduction should be made a week before farrowing. "If the farrowing is to take place inside, a 2x6 scantling nailed to the Walls around the pen and about eight inches ftoni the floor, will eliminate the danger of the sow lying on any of the pigs. A light bedding of fine chaff but not of long straw should be provided. The sow should b. carefully handled at this time; her food should be reduced some days before and her mi inn should be loose and nourishing. Kitchen swill, sour skinv-milk, buttermilk, etc., should net ! he given until strength and robust- I urn ,QSS nrc in cv'('cncc an(i' thn such ill 00(' snoi,M kc given carefully until IijT the animals have been accustomed to them and all danger of scouring is over. Overfeeding the sow is often oft-en a source of trouble; she should be brought on to full feed slowl. taking three f.r four weeks for it if necessary. "When the pigs arc a c6uplc of weeks old a iiin should be provided where they can get away from the mother to cat. This run should be one corner of the pen fenced off an 1 by placing a pan of sweet milk in it they will soon be eating. Ground wheat and shorts separately or to- 1 gcthcr make a good ration forlthis cwTs,jq anima's, but if the latter is very noury, it snouia te sugntiy lightened with bran." |