Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 April 1892 — LIVE STOCK AND DAIRY. [ARTICLE]

LIVE STOCK AND DAIRY.

Corn and Hoe*. Many farmers, especially those of the older generations, have a fixed

rule of expectancy upon which they figure when fattening hogs. This is, that one bushel of corn will make ten pounds of pork, and if the bushel of corn is worth less than they expect to get for ten pounds of pork they consider that there is a profit in feeding. The only trouble with this rule is that it does not always work. It fluctuates under the influence of many conditions, one of which is the state of the weather where the feeding is done. A careful experiment has shown that in severe weather, and the animals being exposed, it has required as much as 11J pounds of corn to make one pound of gain, while in like weather, and with the same animals, the only difference being that they were sheltered in a warm barn, only 5| pounds were required to produce the same result. Thus in one case the rule just about held gcicd, while in the other it was so far wrong that there was no possible profit in the feeding. This is only one of the conditions that govern, the question of profit. Others are the age of the animal and the assimilation of food.. The only way to be on the safe side is to guard as far as possible against wrong conditions and then to measure or weigh the food, and then weigh the animals at short intervals. If this were systematically done fewer hogs would be fed tip to heavy weights, and farmers would soon learn the importance of feeding off early,during mild weather. Although the fact has been repeatedly and fully demonstrated that pigs cannot bo kept healthy on concentrated food alone, many farmers continue to give them little else during the largest portion of their lives. Corn, either ground or unground, is too solid and compact a food when unmixed with other materials, and cannot be thoroughly digested unless a certain proportion of rough and bulky food is given with it. A failure to observe this need is doubtless one of the most frequent causes of cisease with swine; and even if disease does not result, it is well established that hogs fed without this variety fail to givJe the best returns for the food consumed. Pigs kept up fin pens, so that they are unable to forage for themselyes, should be fed green clover; this is one of the best alternative and relaxing foods, giving bulk and lightness to the other feed, and furnishing beside, a‘Considerable proportion of muscle-forming material. In winter, when this cannot be obtained, its place may he supplied by rutabagas and mangle-wur-zels, turnips, carrots and other roots; or cut hay and clover, steamed or moistened and mixed with a little bran or meal, may be fed with equally good results. —Wisconsin Agriculturist.

Study tlie CaK. In a recent meeting of stock men a paper was read by J. F. True on “The Desirable Feeding Qualities in Cattle.” lie urged the use of the pedigree for all it is worth but he said: “Let individual merit he the paramount consideration in selecting the parent stock. Carefully observe from which cows and sires conies the best calves as denoted by their being quickly on their feet and looking out for suck after being dropped. Observe carefully how they digest and assimilate their food during the first two weeks. This will be shown by their growth and disposition to take on flesh and assume desirable form and he entirely free from constipation or the opposite condition.

Principle* of Home f>atrylng. For the man who loves the work and is willing to take all possible pains the home dairy is the proper thing. He will follow so far as practicable, scientific teachings. In breeding his herd, which is the proper way, the greatest care will be made in selecting the sire. Gentleness also pays ■ twofold, while regularity in care and feeding are indispensable. In regard to making the butter he should study the market to learn what kind has the most call and then try to supply it. In all cases conditions alter his needs, but success or failure depends entirely upon himself. He will therefore strive all the more to achieve success.—Farm and Home.