ECONOMICAL PIG FOOD

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 44, 14 May 1927, Page 20 (Supplement)

ECONOMICAL PIG FOOD

THE VALUE OF ARTICHOKES GROW IN ANY SOILS The value of artichokes as an economical pig food is known only to those who make hog-rearing a serious part of their business. One of the crop’s advantages is that it comes into use at a most convenient time, namely, the late autumn. The roots are impervious to frosts and sustain no injury if kept in the ground all winter. The sets may be planted at any time in the winter, and will do well on any soil, producing a good crop on land which is often fit. for nothing else. At the same time artichokes pay for good cultivation, though fresh manuring is not advisable. Once planted, the crop needs no attention beyond keeping the ground clean, and it is best for this reason to allow plenty, of room—-2ft or 2ft 6in — between the rows. In the case of pigs the animals can be folded on the ground and allowed to find the roots for themselves; otherwise artichokes should be dug only as wanted. If this latter method be adopted planting may take place at the same time as digging, and labour is therefore saved, it being merely necessary to throw back the smaller tubers to provide plants for the coming year. But it is not so easy, of course, under this plan to keep the crop in regular rows. The actual feeding value of artichokes (uncooked) is said to be equal to that of potatoes" after being boiled, and this being so it is obvious that the former are a good proposition in every way. This means also that 41b of uncooked artichokes are equal to about lib of barley meal, and since many plants will yield as much as that and more, a good crop on the farm means the saving of much money that would otherwise have to be spent on purchased foods. It is worth noting, according to the statistics, that the area in artichokes last year in the Dominion was 181 acres!