The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1853-02-22
for tbe 9arnlers.
From the Sorthern Cularotor.
Hog Raising in the South.

MrssRs. Ep1ToRs The demand for bacon,
and the high prices paid for this universal ar.
ticle ofSslave-food, has caused almost mania
in hog raising throughout the South. The
Berkshire mania was nothing compared to the
rage which now invests the on.lords, as
to the introduction and possession of the best
and most profitable breeds of swine. Wheth.
er this introduction Of fine stock will be al-
lowed to degenerate and "run ou" for the
want Of care and attention in breeding and
feeding, remains to be seen. There is no
doubt but that any race of swine, founded by
the proper principles of breeding, can be kept
up to the mark by the application Of the same
food and generic infusion of blood, which pro-
ddced the originals; and the difficulty with
the Berkshire was, that these things were
wholly neglected, and they were reduced to
ssshort commons" in their new localities
those which were well fed. were stuffed with
raw corn, and the consequence was, that they
RAPIDLY took on fat at the expense of bone and
muscle. This caused as rapid degeneration as
was effected on those which we're turned into
the woods to root for grub Dorms, and hunt
pkysie in mushrooms. We venture to say,
that if any of the now popular breeds are sub
iected to the same treatment, the new expert.
ment in hog raising will be the same; and un-
thrifty stock resulting from improper systems
of rearing will be laid at the door of charged
swindles upon the breeders furnishing the pa.
rent swine.
The selection Of breeding swine is an import
ant matter for there is no animal which so
readily transmits defects to its progeny as the
hog. Ifthe parent is deformed, SO will be
many of the offspring lfthrifty and produc-
tive, so we may readily rely will be the char
acteristics of most which spring from them.
Not one halfof litter of pigs, however, are
fit to be left for breeders; but when the de-
,nand is great for al improved breed, every
thing must be let run, and the reputation Of
their parents suffers from this indiscriminate
system of rapid increasing the kind. In buy.
ing stock hogs, purchase from no one who is
not entirely reliable, and such will be sure to
make you pay a fair price, which is the best
method of teaching beginner how'to take
care Of them. Wait till you can purchase
good stock, and waste no time on indifferent,
thriftless breeds. The best system ofrapidly
improving swine, is to resort to boar cf some
good breed until your sows, of the same breed
are old enough to bear pigs. Eighteen
months old is as early as sow should be put
to breeding to ensure strong healthy progeny.
All of the sma!-boned varieties furnish good
crosses for the common stock of the country,
and by proper treatment pigs can be brought
forward for slaughter, to repay better at
twelve or fifteen months old than at greater
age. In order to do this we must not gorge
them ctcrnally with corn. but we must make
proper preparations for their support, and give
them comfortable accommodations. Let our
Georgia reader 90 to Atlanta and see the pig
stye Of our friend, Mr.. Richard Peters, and
talk with him about food for hogs. There
thew will see Suffolk sows producing ten pigs
at q litter, fed on but little corn, and reduced,
by system, TO a thrifty condiiontor breeding.-
This may cause them to grow pork profitably
and cheaply too, if they follow his advice
We can have thousand aids in this branch
of domestic production, by asking the simple
question, "What is it that hog will not eat r
'Try him on every thing in your reach, and ar
swer the question yourself.
I have raised some pigs worth killing, and
have few now intend to slaughter, at one
wear old. They are the crosses from care.
ful and successful system of breeding which,
within four years, has been carried on to such
results that can scarcely keep my pigs, they
are in such demand, being wanted as breeders.
4, NOT believe. however. that those who have