Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-03-23
PROFITS OF CORN FED TO SWINE,
RAW AND COOKED

Many apparently conflicting statements have
been made on the profits of corn fed to swine.
SO many things must be taken into account
in a calculation of this sort that it is impos-
sble to make an exact rule that will answer
in all cases. Breeds, conditions, climates and
circumstances, from the nature of the case,
are of endless variety, and hence arises the
farmers confusion. 1t is only by looking
steadily through these local changes, at the
proportionate bearings of facts, that the truth
is seen. Like causes unavoidably produce
like results. The following is a last year S
experiment of Mr.. James Buckingham of Oak
Grove, ILL.,, detailed in the Prairie Farmer.
and shows how Hoosiers make their calcula-
tions and money.
On the 9th of September he commenced
"hogging down his corn, (instead of corning
his hogs as follows He had a movable
fence with which he fenced off as much of the
field at a time as the hogs would eat in two
or three days. As fast as the corn was eaten
the fence was removed to fresher portions, and
so the hogs were prepared for the finishing
process, which usually consists Of about two
weeks pon-ieeding. BY 'hogging the ground, >
as it is called, there are two advantages to the
Western farmer, items of no small Importance
to men who are obliged to 90 over great
doa! of farm for little money. In this way
they save the labor of hand harvesting, and
also of cartng manure. The land is estimat-
ed to be 81 per acre better for having the
crop fed out upon it, Mr.. Buckingham, had
40 acres of corn averaging 40 bushels per
acre, and that cost him just 3,65 per acre to
pillow, plant and tend, or 8 Is cents per bush
ell. On the 9th Of September he purchased
1879 hogs, weighing 5000 lbs, for which he
paid cts per h., total of $3.50. On the Goth
of October, when the 40 acres Of corn were
chiefly consumed, the animals had increased
in weight to 30,3i0 lbs, for which he was Of
fered 4 cents pound, or total of 81 ,2I3 go.
His 40 acres Of corn 900 bushels), it
will thus be seen, produced 1910 lbs. OF
pork, the whole worth, at its increased yalua-
ton of one cent per To-, 1925 go, or, without
reckoning the 81 per acre betterment of the
land, Sl5,Gf per acre, or SO Sd cents pei
bushel for corn in the field. 1t is only by ex.
tensiye operations and close calculation that
the western farmer realizes a suitable profit
On another occasion three hogs were shut in
separate pens, and each fed nine days. One
| eat IL bushels of corn in the ear. and gain.
/ ed 10 lbs. another | "a bushels of corr
ground and boiled and gained % lbs. From
fhA' 'NeN''ANAts ~ - tNlhfnA Nual one uuSnel O
/ corn, in the car or ground, makes Ia lbs,
/ of pork, which, at cents per To-, is equal to
3S cents a bushel for corn; while one bushel
of corn ground and boiled makes % lbs. OF
/ pork, which at the same rate is equal TO IS
cents bushel for corn. In other words, il
pays So per cent to cook meal at the west
where land aud stock are cheap, and wher,
corn can be raised for o l-3 cents per bushel
II the conclusion is safe in the case referred to
then those in New England, where land anc
stock are high who feed raw corn costins
not less than GO cents bushel are pre-emi
nently foolish.
This subject is one that comes home no
only to the bosom of every farmer, but to the
pockets Of all those who keen pigs. 1t is I
matter Of grave importance to the cause o
agriculture, determining in no small degree
the profit or loss Of its stock account. 1t is
thing that needs settling for the doubling b,
experiment rather than argument by fact
rather than fancies; by mathematical figures
instead Of those Of rhetoric. A hundred prac
teal men, active, intelligent and remote. coulc
in less than twclyemonth by their record
ed experience, establish forever this as a car