Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1870-11-04
The Hog Product of 1870.


There has been considerable spec
ulation of late in regardto the hog
product of 1870. Returns of the
gross number of hogs in some OF
the Northwestern States, rs given
By partial census statistics, show a
4 considerable increase over 1869.
The high prices Of last year may,
in some measure, have caused an
increase of the number of hogs in
some districts, and the lower fig.
urcs current at the present time, as
compared with those Of the cores
ponding date in 1869, would seem
to indicate that such is the case
throughout the country; but as yet
there is not sufficient data, of relia-
BILE character, upon which to base
correct estimate, or give more than
an approximation to possible values.
In the Cincinnati Gazette we notice
the first estimate Of the hog crop OF
Ohio available for slaughter in 1870
II. The tfgnrcs given are compiled
from official tables in the Office OF
the State Auditor Of Ohio. From
these it appears that the gross num-
Der ofhogs six months old and over,
on the first day of April, as returned
by the assessors, aggregate l,120.ll3,
against ,445, 943 on the correspond
ing date of 1869, or an increase in
round numbers of 265,OOO. There
is, however, slight decrease as
compared with 1867, and still
- greater falling off as compared with
the crop of previous years, which
reached the maximum Of 2,765, 200
in 1868. 1t is evident that the same
causes which led to the same pro-
duet of ls63-high price of the
packed product and consequent prof
it to brceders-have stimulated the
production this year in Ohio, us it
has in Illinois: but it is qucstiona-
bic if the increase is equal in other
Western States.
We have taken some pains during
the past few weeks to inquire OF in
telligent men in various portions of
the Northwestern States, and we
doubt whether the excess Of produc-
ton over that of last year amounts
to great deal. Since the first of
January there has been a falling off
i'll receipt at Chicago of 600 head
as compared wish the corresponding
period last year. 1t will be recol-
lected, however, that the packing
season commenced earlier in 1869
than this year, as packers are now
just entering the market; but it is a
question yet to be determined wheth-
Or there is a larger product this
year, than there was last. Upon the
prospects from present indications
the Ga=etle savs:-"A good corn
crop and good prices for hogs usu-
ally insures large surplus Of tie
latter. Hogs arc commanding high
prices, and. when it is not likely
that packers will be able to pay as
much as was realized last winter,
still, if corn yields as we'll as it
promises, farmers will find hogs
more profitable than any other pro-
duct. They cannot get so many
hogs ready for market as will put
the price below a paying point.
Those who buy stock hogs at high
prices to fatten, will run the risk of
losing money, of course, but farmers
who raise hogs and fatten them can
not fail to come out ahead. Packers
now think they can afford to pay SIS
per 100 lbs. net, as the average for
hogs next winter. Upon this it will,
we think, be safe for feeders to fig
nre; and *l6 to 500 head for he rs
es matters now stand, and are Ike
~ to stand, should insure :. good
profit. ~ Western Rural.