Questions and answers on livestock and poultry culture

Media

Part of Farming and Cooperatives

Title: Questions and answers on livestock and poultry culture
Creator: Burgos, Carlos X.
Language: English
Source: Farming and Cooperatives Volume 1 (Issue No. 3-4) January-February 1946
Year: 1946
Subject: Livestock industry; Poultry -- Philippines
Rights
Abstract: Continued from last issue
Fulltext: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS On Livestock and Poultry Culture Carlos X. Burgos Cldef, Livestock Extension Dhiisiou, B11,.ca11. of Animal Industry (Co11 tin11cd fr<>m last. Issue' 7 . What .hould be fed to pig•? In home unite all they will eat of the fresh left--0vers from the table and kitchen, as rice, gills and entrails of fish. "snpal", papaya and banana peelings, etc., supplemented with greens like "camote," "kangkong", , petchay, tender green grass, "water· lily"~ etc. Thev should have acces~ to clean water, wood charcoal and wood ashed. Of course, if "darakn, gi·ouPd corn, "tahup" and copra meal arc cheaply available these may be added to advantage in t11e slop of Jeft--0-ers. The usual defects noticed in the f eedinJ? of swine in h ome units is the lack of green f e<!d and mineral and the lack of sufficient amount of same. As a rule the food eensists largely of left-over rice; and naturally the pig practically only exists and does not add more ·weight even after one month of such feeding, bec..,use such food lacks protein, minerals and 'oitarnins. 8. What else should b e recomme nded on the subject of feeding? For those who have the time ·and space, it would be advi>'able to plant a plot to forage f C'r ~oilage, as "camoten, "tapilan" Guinea g-rass or others. Corn plants and " ulasiman" are also relished by pigs, but m ongo, peanuts, "utao" and oth er leguminous plants are good sources of protein and mineral which are needed for growth. The younger the growth the hi2her the protein and mineral content. It keeps them also strong and healthy. Molasses if available is a fattening food and is a good source 'of mineral. \\rflat is n eeded to remember is to give variety and the correct quantity. 9. What aroe the u s ual defects found in the care of pigs? 10. If " tahup1 " (corn bran w / brokcn grain) , "darak" ( rice bran) a nd copra meal ·are available , wha t is a good mixture for growing pigs and brood sows? 4 parts, first class darak 1 part copra meal 1 part tahup F or every 100 kilos of this mixture add i / 2 kilo of salt and 2 kilos of .' inely ground shells or well sifted wood ashes. 11. D escribe selection. Selection is a continuous process nf retainin z th e animals nossessing th e oualities anrl characteristics and culling (getting; rid) cf the inferior stock. T-'or example . in sel(.>cting- sows fo1· breerlingehoose those that nrP. active, health)' anrl with .S?l o~~,, h;:iir. S f>lcct thoc:.e · well nronortioned with wide. st.rai!!ht to arch ed back. rfcPn boclv ~nrl w it.h r.apacitv to eat.. and ~f-rono-. with ~trri i rrh t lc!?s and w rll dev0 l"ned h ~ni c:. Cull those that: arr.1 ~mall fnr th,.. breed anr l ;ige. Cull those that do not loold healthy. 12. WhPn is th~ be~t age for a g ilt {a young sow) to b reed? 1Vhen she ic:. ~uffic i~::t1v d ev"lopPrl nr at about. 8 to 9 month old. At this age if she comes in heat (in coni!ition to breed) breed her in the best available boar in the community: if A government breprling ~tation is nearby it · is better to take adYantapce of the purebred boars at the station. The Jivc>'tock extension officer of the Bu reau of Animal Industry, if there is one in the province, would be pleased to be of service, or inquiry could be made direct from the Bureau of Animal Industry, Pnndacan, lVIanila. The g-ilt or sow 1nny bred nt any day when in heat but the best chances of success arc obtained in the third day of heat. 13. Wl1at e lse mavbc su gg-ested in connection with breeding sow? 'When a sow is bred it is better to note down the date so that the approximate date of fm-ro\vi ncr '(d ronpinl? of young) is known. The j!'estat ion period (the time between breeding ani! farrowin"\ lasts 112 to 114 davs. That i>'. if bred October 28. 194fi. the approxim~t" dnte of f P .JTowing- would be about Febrnary 16th, 194 6. 14 . Wh.'\t !'lh o td..f o n .,. dn w h e n the pregn an t is du e to f,11rrow? A t nbont the comnl('tio n of the C!"<'c:tntion neriorl, prepare plcntv o f bedding- (<Jriccl le::ives of tr"'"''"'· of b::innn:is. or ric<' ~tn1.w). P ut th<' sow in thP fnrrrnving- l)Cn (rnom) f"lrnt lrns bPf"''' previnu~hr p1·onr,·l v clC'::inrd ::ind well s pread with brcedinC!". This t111ows llf'r to get w rll ::icnuaintNl with 1 ·hC' nl:lC" nnrl she 111 av be C'Xll<'Cf-Nl ln farrnw r111ictlv. T f f or some r('!'l<;;on t·h,.. <l:i.f"c thP sow i~ expected to fn1Tn"· i.;; fo"fl"oUcn . just nnUr0 1J1r> 11rl<lors, Tr H1e\r aro w ell distended :i n<l ir nillk fl ows '01 hel1 1'11<' tf'nt~ ::ire prrc:~er1 f"hc sow p 1 ::iv farrow in 2 4 to 48 honrs. Sowc;:; hef ore f:i.rrnwine- uc:1 rn.ll.v lwro1110 rcstlpc:c;:; mav br srcn to root. (11nt.urn) tl,e fJrH)l' nnd tr:tnsfrr thP berld ing to the con1er she expects to He down. 15 , How m a nv tirn es ca n a sow f a rrow in a year? As rnanv ns two times n vcnr when properl v c"red ani! fed so th•t the pi~s may rlevPlop properlv and can be weaned (separated from the dam (mother) when they are eight to ten weeks old. On the average you may esthnate three farrowings every two years. In towns the pigs are either kept in "ulbo" (stys) or a re Jet loose. If kept iu "ulbo" they do not get enough exercise and cannot . be expected to breed when the time comes. · If Jet loose, it 'is not only objectionable in many ways but they easily become infested .with intestinal worms and may become contaminated with a contagious disease as hog. cholera, swing plague, etc. It is, therefore, preferable to tether them from day to day <>n different well drained Jots where they have access to greens, water and shade. In the farms they m~y be kept in . wide enclosure ·a·nd soilage fed. (USIS cut) B<ickyard 71oult1·11 in the United S tates. Child1·e>i take cwre of the floc/c ·as in the Phili1111ines. 16 16. GiTe seneral inatr11ction1 OD what to do after farrowing. After farrowing the sow will not eat for 12 to 24 hours. As soon as it is noticed that she wants to cat give a thin slop of the same feed she used to be fed before farrowing. The consistency of the slop feed and the amount should be gradually increased from day to day so that in about a week she can be given the regular amount which is all she will eat in two or preferably three feedings. Frequent visits . and judicious surveillance are necessary during farrowing and for se\"eral days after in order to see to it that the sucK!ings are not crushed by the dam. In the fourth day after farrowing and even on the third. if the pies are strong and healthy. allow the dam to roam in a fenced yard or tether her in an onen field for sunning and exercise. The pigs at this time begin to root and are able to obtain some minerals from the ground. In the soil there ma~· be traces of conner necessary to nrev"nt. anemia. Every tJrecaution should bn taken to !Pt them roam in clean ground where pigs liave not heen kent for someti,...e. They should have nn access to mudd" nlaces. 811ch stens mll ...,.eatly reduce intestinal worm infe•tntion. Tt is desirable t.i)at three feedin~s be given two wPeks after farrowint? because the sucklinl? pil!'l' bc<!in then to nibble. At three week• they foin tbe dam more regular!v. "\\'hen it. is noticed that the sucklinP"S m to crow<! the dam it is better to let them eat in a senarate feeding trough. ureparatory to the dlly when they will have to be weaned. Some peonle in fact build creepers, which are contra17tiom< so built that the young mav go in and out to eat peacefully without being . bothered by the dam. This is not necessary when t.he dam is tethered, as the feed trough for the sucklings can he nlaced at a distance far from the dam's reach. It is better to keep the dam and young in-doors during heavy or continuoul!< rain but clean clods of earth should be thrown in for the plgs to root. 17. Wllen is the best time to wean? When the pigs are eight , to ten weeks old. At this stage the important thing to observe is whether they are .. eating heartily of the slop feed fed to the dam and if the pigs look mong and healthy. Weaning at this age helps the dam to recuperate quickly and enable her to breed and produce pigs earlier. 18. How ia weaning· done? In weaning it is the dam that is taken away from the sucklings and placed where the young can not hear her grunts. In this way the young do not fret so much, as they are UEed to their surroundings. They will <mly miss their dam. (Continued on page !t2) FARMING AND COOPERATIVES PROGRESSIVE FARMING USE HYBRID CORN FOR SEEDS JOSE CRISANTO ( Acthig S11pen;sor on Special Dcfa.il Vocational Educat.ion Divi.sion, Department of Inst1~1ction) The practical development of varieties that are inherently more productive than those now used is of great importance to Philippine agricultui"C. The improvement of corn through breeding and better cultural rractices has occupied th!i attention of growers, especially of government agencies who have the technical men and the re· sources to conduct such experiments on crop development. In the United States, the Department of Agriculture has discovered that the utilization of two breeding methods, mass selection and breeding within inbred lines, pro· duce hybrid corn. This latest development in corn breeding technique has produced hybrids which have estabished their superiority in productiveness and in resistance to wind, diseases, and other unfavorable conditions. Upon this basic knowledge, the Filipino farmer is offered an opportunity to augment his income through the use of hybrid corn seeds suitable to his loyality. The question arises, from what sources will farmers obtain their seeds? Knowing the peculiarity of behavior of hybrid seeds, it is of paramount importance that centers of distribution be established, wherein a particular hybrid corn seed has been deve. loped, adapted to the local conditions Only the first filial generation may be used to produce the desired results in productiveness, and other desirable features. Methods Und to Control Pollination The following technique of corn hybridization is being described: "The development of inbred lines and their later use in the production of hybrid corn necessitates controlled pollination. During the inbreeding pc· riod and the period of· experimental crossing,, pollination usually is controlled by hand-bagging of the ears and tassels. In the large-scale production of hybrids, the pollination is controlled by isolation and detasseling. Self-pollination or "selfing" consists in pollinating the silks of selected plants with pollen from the tassels of the same plants. Two quite different methods of accomplishing self-pollination are in common use. Both methods require that the young ear shoot be covered to exclude foreign pollen before the silks emerge. Shall glassine bags are very convenient for this purpose. Later operations differ widely for the two methods and will be described separately. In one procedure, (which for convenience may be called the "tasselbagging method,") when the silks appear, the glassine bag 'is removed, the young shoot is cut back by trimming off the silks to three quarters of an inch of the tips of the husks, and the glassine bag is replaced. The tassel is enclosed in a large bag at this time. In 24 to 48 hours an even brush of fresh silks 1-1 /2 to 2 inches long will have grown out. The pollen is collect· ed in the tassel bag and dusted bn the silks, then the shoot is again covered with the large tassel bag, which remains over the ear until harvest. A second method, usually designated as the "bottle method" was developed. When the silks appear under the pro· tecting glassine bag, the bag is removed and the shoot is trimmed back as in the previous method. A 2-ounce bottle of water ·is hung from the stalk at the ear-bearing node. The tassel is cut from the stalk, its shank is inserted in the bottle of water, and tassel and shoot are enclosed in large paper bag. The tassel should be arranged directly above the ea!· shoot. The bottle of water serves to keep the tassel alive while new silks appear, and as fresh silks (Continued on page 24) 17 Questions and Answers ••• 19. Wl>at pnca•ti- ... oalol be tma wlaen -anins? To avoid inflammation (swelling) of the udder of the dam, feed her only once in 24 hours, before weaning, and only one half of the daily ration one to two days previou1.< to weaning and one to two days after weaning. These measures dry the brood .sow without ill-effects. 20. What ia the food for the weanin1a? For the .first few days they may be fed the same ...top feed and some of the greens fed the dam. This can be improved from. day to day by the addition of other feeds higher in protein as the mixture of feed given in the answer to question No. 10. The important thing is to be sure that there is enough trough space for every pig; that they are fully satisfied; that the food fed is fresh and palatable; and that the slop is rich in protein and mineral feed needed for proper growth. 21 . Are c:amote, ''kamotens-kahoy" and banana tranka sood food for piga? They are; however, the first two are more for fattening than for growth; the last one is not only high in wa~r content but high in fiber. This require some study. Another common mistake in swine feeding is feeding of bulky feeds. If a pig is expected to grow well, the food should be highly nutritious; high in protein, high in minerals and , vitamins; and should be well balanced as regard car(Continu11d from pa.ge 1'l) bonaceous and protein feeds and the mineral content in the same way we balanced "kanin" (rice) and "ulam,. (viand). 22. What are atarchy fooda7 Starchy foods generally refer to foods rich . in starch as corn, rice, utatad," "adlay," "camote,'' "kamotengkahoy,'' etc. 23. What are protein feeda 7 Protein feeds are tho!e high in protein as mango, peanuts, "tapilan,'' copra meal, soybean oil meal, meat mes!, fish meal, shrimp meal, "suso,'' etc. 24. What are aoilins cropa? These refer largely to cultivated forage that are out from time to time in the green, fresh stage to feed to animals. uTapilan," "mongo," ''utao," soybeans, peanuts, cowpeas, are leguminous crops rich in protein and minerals. Napier grass, Guinea grass, Para grass, "bungalon," Uba cane, corn, Sudan grass, Sorghum and also camote are crops rich in starch, sugars and other carbohydrates and also rich in minerals. In the young succulent stage all these plants are higher in protein, minerals and vitamins than in older f.tage. F_or the same purpose advantage may , be taken also of "ipil-ipil/' "manimanian,'' "kulape" (carubac grass), "ulasiman,'' or ("kulasiman"), "kangkong" and the present Pasig river aquatic plant known locally "water-lily." UNITED BEVERAGE MANUFACTIJRING COMPANY 22 Trade Mark UBEMCO Tradeo Mark SILVERSPRINGS BEVERAGES Factory and off.: On the Highway Rizal Ave., Extension Balintawak Subdivision Near Bonifacio Monument Products Cream Soda Root Beer Sarsaparilla Strawberry Lemonade Orange Orange Crush Soda Water Silver Spring Special Modern and Sanitary Bottling Plant ZIS. Compare the ccimpoaition of aome of theae fooda and planta. The ,following table of analysis largely taken from Morrison's feeds and feeding may be helpful. (See table next page)) . 26. What are the intereatins pointo noticeable in the table 7 The g1·ain by-products with the exception of rice bran are low in mineral content and there is a wide difference between protein and starch. (The rice bran contains the embryo and rice chaff. To the first is due the higher content of protein upset by the high fat content and to the last is due the higher fiber content.) Another important fact is that calcium is very much lower than phosphorous. The animal and the vegetable protein foods are comparatively the reverse to the cereal fond a. rrgards protein and !-tarches. This is also true as regards t.he ratio of l"f' ~1111'1 and phosphorous. The green roughages are low in nutrients but comparatively higher in fiber and mineral content. The relation of calcium and phosphorous in greent< is more in accordance to the right proportion needed by the animals. Comparing the grasses and l~gumes there is also a wider difference between calcium and phosphorous in legumes than in gra~ses the reverse is true as regards protein and at.arches. · 27. How much green forage may be fed to awine? A pregnant •ow may be fed all the tender green feed she will eat besides the concentrate feed it is· fed. It ;s understood that in feeding such amount a gradual change had been allowed to reach it. Such food serves not only as a mild laxative but it distends the alimentary tract and develops roomier barrels in the brood sows. "Camote" and "tapilan" cut into short pieces or young corn plants and "tapilan" make good green feed mixtures. Sucklings, r.ewly weaned and growing pigs should not be fed much green roughage or other food high in fiber. Their digestive apparatus are small and can not handle advantageously such feed. If forced to eat such feed they become pot-bellied or runted (among the Tagalogs the term is "bansut"). They, like a nursing dam should be fed mostly very nourishing, well balanced concentrates, rich in proteins, minerals and vitamins needed for normal growth. 28. la exceaai't'e fatne1a advi1able in a gilt? It must be guarded against by proper exercise, sufficient protein and more but not too much bulky feeds rather than feeding mostly rice or mostly corn. Variety in the foods fed is important. · 29. h thoe con1truction of a pen or a pen and yard ·neceuary7 No; but it is a most convenient system. At least the owner will feel more at ease against attacks of dogs and the animal is more comfortable. CONCENTRATES l Grains &: by-products) Protein Com 9.8 Com feed meal ("tahup") 10.0 Sorghum (kafir) U.2 Rice (brown) 6;9 Rice bran 12.8 "Binlid" 6.-i2 Cassava meal 0.2 Copra meal 20.8 Fish meal 58.7 llleat scraps 55.0 Soybean oil meal 44.S lllolasses (cane) 2.8 Garbage s.o Peanuts seeds S0.5 GREEN ROUGHAGE (Grasses) Bermuda grass 3.5 Corn pant 2.0 Guinea grass 2.2 Napier grass 2.5 Para grass 1.7 Sudan gra."8 (iill stages) 2.0 Sudan grass, in bloom 2.2 "Culape" grass 1.84 Barit grass 2.96 LEGUMES Cowpcas 8.0 Soybeans 4.2 OTHERS Cabbage (outer leaves) 2.6 30. What ia tlae beat way of tyinir a pie that ia beinir tetlaered? Use medium sized rope tied twice around the body over the shoulder so that an X forms between the front legs and there is a loop over the shoulder to which a dog chain may be snaped. If not long enough another piece of rope may be tied at the end of the chain. This rope is best tied to a low branch of a tree. The purpose of the dog chain is to prevent it becoming entangled. If a chain is not available the rope may be arranged under the same principle followed in tethering fighting cocks-. 31. What ia tlae aimpleat mineral mixture to J.a..., for pica? Mix equal parts by weight of sifted hardwood ashes and salt. ·32. When may a aow be rebred? A sow will take a boar (male pig) three days after farrowing but it is not advisable to breed at that time. Sows kept up in good flesh may be bred on the next beat that comes on the fourth to sbd:b week after farrowing. Heat may be induced at this time by ·shutting the pigs .away from the dam a few nights and feeding more concentrate feed high in protein. 33. la it a irood practice to wean the bis pica first to permit the small ones to crow well? Such practice should not be followed as some of the udders may not be nursed and become caked and even ruined. FARMING AND COOPERATIVES N..tree extract Calcium Phosphorous Fat Fiber (starches, sugars) o.so 0.27 0.80 4.8 1.9 4.4 3.0 3.0 2.3 2.0 1.0 13.4 13.0 1.26 5.83 0.7 G.1 8.2 10.4 7.9 0.9 10.7 2.2 8.7 8.6 7.2 1.1 47.7 2.5 1.0 8.7 0.6 4.9 0.7 0.3 9.1 0.6 9.2 0.6 8.5 0.6 7.8 1.0~ 7.47 0.90 4.68 0.5 3.8 1.1 G.7 0.4 2.7 34. When should pi1• be castrated? Pigs may be ca!!<trated after they are ten days old. There is very little set back noticeable in their growth if done while suckling. In fact castra· tion, ear-marking or ear notching, and vaccination should be done by spreading the various operations from ten days after being farrowed to a week before weaning. 35. What ia ear-notchin1? Ear-notching in pip is the cutting of small portions of their ears for identification and recording purposes preparatory to a more extensive develoPment of the project into a semi-commercial or commercial venture. 36. What are the moat common diaeaaea of pica? Hog cholera, swine plague and intestinal . parasites. 70.1 71.0 70.3 77.2 41.1 67.83 76.8 45.0 4.1 1.2 30.3 61.9 22.2 11.7 18.3 13.6 101'9 10.0 13.4 12.8 11.2 12.23 G.71 7.0 10.1 7.1 0.03 0.04 .08 0.21 5.37 8.70 0.28 0'56 0.06 .12 .13 .14 .20 1.36 .03 0.62 2.98 4.30 0.66 0.06 0.38 .07 .04 .10 .05 .06 .06 37. What should be done about these di1eaae1? Prevention through continuous cleanliness, proper sanitation and the least contact . direct or indirect with animals suspected to come from ~reas where there may be disease or the use of utensils from such animals. When any disease is suspected or is known to ex!s~ in the neighborhood, a civic sp1r1ted person should report some to the . neare_st disease control Veterinary Office or employee or write direct to the . Director of Animal Industry "Mam la. ' 38. What other sources of help may the soTernment es.tend to •ome or farm units? The Livestock Extension Service Officer of the province may be Clllled upon concerning care, feeds, feeding management, ,selection of sites, con: (Continued on nezt page) M. JOSUE WATCH REPAIRER e MALIGTAS JOSUE Master Repairer e HENRY LEWIS e FORTUNATO SANTOS. PULPULAAN Assistants 714 QUEZON BOULEVARD 23 struction of houses, sheds, fencing,--------------------------------·~--~---" purchase of breeding stock, appliances, selection and culling of stock, castration, caponization and other topics on animal culture that may be of interest to the public. 39. Can awine be raiaed in tbe Philippine& in lar1re groupa hy pri"f'ate enterprise&? Yes. Before this war there were already quite a number of persons in many provinces who raised pigs in large groups of not less than , fifty head mostly grade or purebred stock. The...;, were raised largely under conditions favorable to the cheap acquisition of the bulk of feed fed. 40. Where were aome of theae locat• ed? In Rizal, Nueva Ecija, Pampang!l, Pangasinan, Occidental Negros, and Davao. However, as far as the condition of the land was concerned, many were not satisfactorily located but the promises could• be greatly improved by draining pools or filling up the mud holes. They were either near rice mills, corn mills or coconut plantations or coconut oil factories where copra cake, or copra meal were cheaply available. Some were near and took advantage of the garbage from restaurants, hotels or army barracks; some were able to obtain brewer's grain practically free; and some had a combination of these feed facilities. 41. '\Vb.at is a aatisfactory condition of land in the raisin&' of pie•? In the raising of pigs, especially in larger numbers where the home left-overs do not suffice to feed them, it is necessary to have land that drains easily ,.and, if possible, of sufficient size so that forage and even pasture plants may be grown to reduce expenses. 42. What kind of land draina euily? High or rolling land ea..<ily drains, or may be easily drained; and , land with sandy, loam, or sandy-loam soils that permit water to filter through in a short time. 43. Why ia that neceuary? Because it is important to prevent mud pools to form ~o easily as they become sources of infection especially of intestinal parasites. 44. How ia the beat way to a tart a swine project larger in size than a home ~it? There .are really many ways to start such projects. But the more ordinary ways are as follows: 24 (a) By buying from a reliable party the desired number of selected gilts or sows and a boar. The chances of starting with selected stock that are not sick of a contagious disease can be easily ascertained. It may be mentioned here that buying from different sources expose the project to more chances of di~ease, especially if the stock is bought from sources that are not properly attended or organized. Progressive Farming •.• grow they are pollinated by pollen from the enclosed tasse I. It has been found advantageous to use n mild disinfectant in the water to retard the growth of m~cro~organizms and thus lengthen the life of the tassel. A solution of sodium bisulphite 1 :2,000, which must be fresh, has proven very satisfactory for this purpos·e. After 48 to 72 hours the tassels may be removed and the bottles collected. These may be used again for other pollinations." 1 Several satisfactory methods of hand crossing are in common use. The young shoots must be protected from stray pollen as in selfing. When the silks appear the plants may be crossed in a manner similar to either the tasselbagging method or the bottle method described above. 'Vhere larger quantities of seeds are required, it is usual to mix the pollen collected from several plants of one line and apply it to the silks ~Year Book of Agriculture, 193G of the Dept. o! Agriculture, U. S. (b) By buying selected sows and distributing to dependable tenants or friends who have none to raise but have the facilities. Usually the arrangement is that the original stock , always belon.g to the owner and the young 1s partitio;..ed equally by the .' pa~t ne1·s. In this way if there 1s disease in any among the ones purch~.ed from different sources, the sick animal is almost in quaranti:ne and the ,disease does not easily spread. In case th<; tena.nt after a year wishes to d1scontmue the arrangement he has a means to start his own p1·oject and the owner, without extra expense has more animals than at start. In this case it is understood that a well selected or a purebred boar is •. upplied by the owner to breed the sows or he makes the arrangements to have the sows bred to a boar in a government breeding station or center. ( c) A, system followed by a number is to .-buy a good boar, usually a purebred boar, and adverti•e among his neighbors that a successful , breeding is payable at the rate of one selected newly weaned gilt resulting from the breeding. In a year, from 60' to as high as 100 gilts ll!ay ~e ~ollect ed. In this connection 1t is. well to warn that it is ,not adVIE=able for new swine raise1·s or those without sufficient experience to go at once into the production of a large number of pigs. (To Be Continued) (Continued from pa.ge 17) of the desired number of plants in other lines. The larger scale or commercial production of crossed seed is accomplished by planting alternate blocks of the two parents in a field isolated from other com and removing the tassels from all of one kind before pollen has been shed. The seed picked from these detasseled rows is hybrid seed. The ratio of pollen rows to detasseled rows varies from 1 :2 to 1 :4 depending on the vigor and pollen-producing ability of the pollen rows. Where inbred lines are being crossed, the more usual ratio is 1 :2 and where single crosses are being crossed to produce double crosses the proportion of po11en rows, under favorable circun1stances, may be reduced to 1 :4. This description of hybridizing corn may well be followed in agricultural schools thus enabling the different localities to produce the hybrid seeds adapted to the locality. lt is evident that work along this line necessitates a considerable time before satisfactory results may be obtained. However, this work can be conducted in coope1·ation with the Bureau of Plant Industry Experiment Stations in order to hasten results and avoid duplication of work. This is the right time to start experiments on corn hybridization with the objective of discovering a hybrid that will greatly i·edound to the benefit of our farme1•s. The corn production of this country is undeniably very low mainly due to the fact that our farmers do very little seed selection and in several instances they just resort to buying their seeds from the market because whatever they have produced and saved for seeds for the next planting had been consumed for food or fed to animals. With the production of hybrid corn for seeds in the different localities where experiment stations and agricultural schools are established the use of hybrid corn for seeds would be then a established practice of progressive farming in this country. * * * HOME GADGETS Mechanizing of farming in the Philippines often gives the wrong conception to many people. Many have ~he belief that when we say "mechanize our agriculture" it mans the revolutionizing of our farming by big capitalists by the use of big motors, tractors, machineries be
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