nced owing to the extraction of the butter fat, so that
although new milk may be fed alone, the others require additional food
which should contain some oil or fat to be fed with them, or they cause
indigestion and want of thrift, particularly in young and immature pigs.

The roots of all kinds, save potatoes and mangolds, have ceased to be of
much value before April ends, vetches and lucerne will prove to be the
best of substitutes. Spring cabbages are generally of more value for
human consumption than can be obtained from their use as pig food. If
there be any grass land available the in-pig sows and the stores, should
there be such, should now find the major portion of their food out of
doors.

As a rule far too little attention is paid to the growth of lucerne in
this country. It is undoubtedly one of the most nutritive of our
vegetable crops. It also produces a large weight of food extending over
several months, and continues fruitful for many years providing
attention is paid to the keeping it free from grasses. It has the
additional advantage of furnishing a full supply of food when the
weather is so dry that grass and some other foods produce little. It is
true that in the initial stage it requires time and care, but the
results from it amply repay both. One of the best seasons for sowing it
is the month of May. The operation is simple, the land having been
cleared the seed is sown in drills about 1 ft. apart, the quantity of
seed required being at the rate of 20 lbs. per acre, say 2 oz. per pole
or a drill 35 yards long. As soon as the plants are high enough the land
should be hand hoed, and if kept free of weeds a light crop can
generally be cut from it towards the end of August. In the following
years it will produce at least three cuttings annually.

Some persons are of opinion that as lucerne is such a deep-rooted plant
manure is unnecessary. It is true that the roots penetrate several feet
into the soil, still an application of short manure or rotted vegetable
matter applied each autumn will give a good return.

The chief point in the use of lucerne for pigs and in the production of
a maximum crop is to cut it when young. The pigs will thrive on it far
better in this state than when the stalks become hard and sticky. In the
latter stage it is likely to cause constipation. It is best not to graze
it with either horses, cattle, or pigs, but benefit to it results from
folding it in the autumn with ewes or