The Ohio organ, of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, [Ohio]) 1853-1854, 1854-01-06
The Maine Law and Farmers.

Statemenb was WTtbbon Dy rear
Street Merchant in reply to an edito.
rial article in the Daily Tines. 1t is
clear exposition of the operation Of
the Maine Law upon farmers. Then
let every individual engaged in farm-
ing read it, and study into this mat
ter thoroughly, and if he desires to
consult his own interest he certainly
cannot avoid supporting this LaW
MEssRs. EDIToRs:-The leading
editorial in the Times Of Monday, in
relation to one of the most valuable,
measures of the age, touches only on
a single point, namely, its bearing on
the interests Of two worthy classes
of our fellow citizens, the farmers
and coopers. 1t suggests that the
suppression of distilleries would de-
prive the farmer Of a market for his
corn, and take from the cooper a de-
mand for whisky barrels.
Every true reform is benefcient for
all classes, and | believe there is not
an individual nor any branch of hon
est industry in our State, that would
not be benefited by suppressing the
sale of intoxicating liquors, and their
manufacture for such sale.
1t is very generally the habit of
our farmers to sell their young hogs
to distillers early in the fall. They
are fattened with the refuse from the
still, and sold for slaughter in the
winter. The advance realized from
hogs forms an important item in the
profits Of the distiller. tits proposed
to save this profit for the farmer. By
fattening his own hogs with his own
corn, he will realize greatly more
than by the sale of both articles to
the distiller. Many Of the most sa.
gacious of our farmers know this well,
and not only latten hogs of their own
breeding, but buy both stock hogs
and the corn with which to fatten
them from their less farsighted neigh
bors. present an estimate Of the
comparative profit arising to the far
mer from these different modes of
disposing of his produce. | am in
debted for the material of my esti-
mate to gentleman whose residence
and observation was at a distance in
the country. Though the prices of
corn, stock hogs and fattened vary in
different localities, owing to their
greater or less facility Of access to
market, yet the proportion between
the prices of different articles will be
found to hold good. A similar calcu.
lation, based on the prices prevailing in
districts nearer to our large cities and
railroads, will show a result quite as
favorable to the farmer who fattens
his own pork. premise that the
average weight of "stoCk hogs" is
not over 85 lbs; while the average
weight of fattened hogs is not under
200 lbs. Twelve bushels Of corn
will suffice to fatten each hog. The
average expense Of getting the corn
to the distillery | estimate at 8 cents
per bushel. Including time, tolls,
tavern bill, occasional hire for teams,
DC, certainly within the average
| have allowed nothing for the cost of
bringing the pork to market, for it
carries itself, or is bought up on the
farm by dealers eager to purchase.
In 1851.
70 bushels corn sold to dis
tillery at 3Oc. s. 90
Less expenses &c, 36-$3 "a
stock hog, s5lb, 2A 2 80
IS 81
lfattened hog, 2OOlbs., axe 100
Difference over 25 per cent.
in favor Of fattening 81 AZ
InI852.
10 bushels corn, sold to dis
tiller at 35c. "a 20
a.