Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1876-02-25

EDITOR BULLETIN:-"W B." in Pro-
gresSipe Farmer, has an article on Pig
Ringing" in which one would come to
the conclusion, after reading the same,
that he was only in favor of ringing hogs,
and not at all in favor Of ringing pigs. -
But after all as he does not like to see the
clover field plowed over by the hogs
snout, something must be done to prevent
it, And so Mesdamcs Chester, Berkshire
and Poland, TO their infinite disgust,
must be jcwclcd."
In my mind, when he makes the admis-
sion that "the preventative may cost more
than the evil complained OF" the question
of ringing or not ringing should have
been decided in favor of madam hog as
well as her pigs, and some other remedy
for the evil complained Of sought.
Undoubtedly the hogs snout was made
for the purpose complained of, and If
some of the breeds now in the hands of
farmers seem to have more of it than is
either useful or ornamental, let us all
unite to reduce, by iudicious breeding
But III any case, be the face long or short
on the Log, it will not be used to turn up
sod or soil unless nature calls in that di-
rection.
The pig that is worth keeping is consti-
tutionally lazy, and if properly provided
for will be quiet, unless nature calls for
action, and that action will be health Civ
ing.
Let anyone imagine, if he can, anything
more self-satisfaCtory to sleek mothers
Berkshire and Poland than turning over
the soil for themselves and pigs; every
nerve, bone and muscle seems to be
brought into delightful activity, from the
frontal gristle complained of to the very
kink in the caudal appcndage. Thus, if
you want to see sleek, contentcd porkers
about your yards, don't think of using the
"jcwels," or "tamern
Who ever saw show hog wearing jew
els? think our fancy hog men generally
recognize the fact that depriving the hog
in any way of the powers of roofing, in
some way detracts from his natural per-
lection; and hence, as they (thc jewels
are out of place rs ornaments, do not put
them on. And then, did it ever occur to
any one of you who are III favor of ring
ing, as it has to me, that such practice did
not in any manner, to say the least, pro
mote the health of the hog.
One of the most common troubles with
swine is weakening of the spine, and
when fully developed causes the animal
to lose all control of its hind parts, and
locomoton is effected by slowly dragging
itself from place to place in very In
borious manner; and though some may
contend that this does not affect the pork,
lo ,o1 ole ~ n ( thn
trouble manifcsts itself, yet, to my mind,
it is very suggestive of diseased pork, and
| would rather treat it as SUCH or leave it
to the digestion of others.
| am inclined to the opinion that care
full observation will show that more OF
this trouble will be found among hogs
having their rooters tanned or jeweled,
than among those left rs nature made
them.
The question comes again, would you
have the clover field plowed over by the
untamed hog? We answer, by no means,
We would not let them go to the field at
all. We would build IA yard in size pro-
portioned to the number of hogs designed
to keep, and then let them root deep, and
as long as they choose. And we would
soon as the young clover started in the
spring, we would cut and carry to the
pigs daily, giving it to them dewy and
fresh every morning. Try it, ye who
think that the hog must be tamed, and
you will be astonisLed at the growth your
pigs Will make. And be astonished nj am
other thing, and that is the amount of feed
one acre of good clover will produce, -
Commence at one side of your patch, and
by the time you have gone over it you can
again commence, and SO on for the season,
until The young corn is ready to cutup for
them. Feed your clover from Slated
racks, 50 the pigs can only get 1t as they
want il, without waste. This in my iudg-
ment is the most economical way to Craze
hogs in prairie country, and this, too, if
the question of roofing is not considered.
Then, by all means, let the hogs, as well
as the pigs, have their rooters untamed -
and you yourself be prepared to laugh
and grow fat at the prospect of cash to
come. Let your hogs root. L. J. G.