Crosses in Pigs,

Horowhenua Chronicle, 4 October 1911, Page 4

Crosses in Pigs,

Many lines are now carried on at: the State farms and colleges on, a, commercial basis. Experiments are one thing, but the real practical test is quite aonther. At the Hawkesbury College there has been conducted for some time past a pigproducing scheme on sound Iniskiess lines. The experience there enables; a deduction to ,be drawn as to the most profitable types of -pig and-the - manner of feeding. A cross -. between tilic Middle York boar and Berkshire sow, or grade Berkshire sow, is recommended where 'breeding for pork is best suited to the 1 conditions. This j)ig matures earlyand has light offal, and there is not so much wasto as in the heavier types. An alternative cross is a Berkshire boar and a Poland-Gbina sow, although these hvae -a, .-.tendency to produce small,litters. , , , T4ie officer in charge of the pigs at. the college advises that the TannroHfch boar and the Berkshire sow is the best cross for the production of bacon and liam. It is also well adapted to tlio Australian conditions. Tt is said that the market for-'bacon and ham is practically unlimited, and that there is not enoaigh of the right class raised to even satisfy.the local demand. Tlvo total cost of producing pork-at .the-.college is from Id to 1-Jd per lb. All the feed required for them, is raised on tih-e farm, excepting the pollard. This "s given with skim milk to take the place of the sow's milk. JLikeovery other animal, the pig wants a well- '■ {balanced ration. So a-t'ithe college tSKey feed on skim-milk' with cereals; 'barring oats, which are top,heating. Large quantities of greeni: stuff are raised for them. Interesting tests ". made: at the College show that pigs do very well on some root crops. Artichokes are largely raised for them. The. Jerusa'leum variety is ■ the bc-ft. It will thrive albundantly ■ on ligfht, sandy, or gravelly soils, too T'j>oor for most other crops. Its main '. requirements seems to. be a-d/ry soil. It it remarkably drought-resisting; ■ and, as a rule, free, from fungus diseases or pests.