The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1881-04-23
The Management Of Hogs.

There exists among farmers wide di.
yersity OF opinion concerning the bes,
and most profitable breed of hoes.
Some affirm that the large Chester
White is the best by far. Others think
the Poland China superior to all other
breeds. Still others assert that both OF
these breeds are too large and long to
be profitable: that they would rs soon
shovel corn into = bottom1ess Dit and
expect it to return Is into the capacious
stomachs of such hogs and expect a
profit. These last are firm advocates
OF the smaller breeds-Suffolks and
Berkshires. FsssssF' -'- . - = :
In some controversies it is possible for
both sides to be right, and this is one OF
them. have never taken part in these
discussions, but observation and careful
comparison long ago convinced me that
both large and small breeds of hoes are
useful, profitable and desirable in differ
ent localities and under different cir
In timbered section, where hogs
run over large tract of land and are
raised principally ON mast and roots. it
must Dc evident to every one that a
strengthened, large breed. like the Po-
Land China or Chester White. is the
most desirable and likely to prove the
most profitable, because of its ability to
travel considerable distance in search
OF food. Some farmers might infer
from this that the old s.hazel-splitter',
would be a still more excellent breed.
out l am speaking of hogs that will fat.
ten after they are grown. Farmers
VINO raise hogs in these timbered Sec
tons md 1t pays best to let them run
until full-grown and matured, then to
pen them up and feed them literally
with corn short time. Thus treated,
they fatten quickly and are placed on
the market large, heavy, finely-formed.
healthy hogs. bring the top price and
return good profit to the raiser.
The farmer whose farm is small and
who is compelled to make the most of
every foot of land, and the suburban
resident, who raises two or three hogs
for his own use, will find it to their in
terest to keep only the Suffolk, or small
Berkshire. These small breeds are nat
urally quiet and lazy: and can be well
iattened at any stage of their growth.
A cross between the Suffolk male and
Poland China or Chester White female
proves to be an excellent and profitable
hog for the farmer who aims to market
twenty or thirty a year, and whose past
urage is limited to two or three acres.
This cross attains fair size, natures
early and Can be quickly fattened.
1t must be borne in mind bv all who
are compelled to confine their hogs to
small pens, that to make good pork
hogs must, especially during the hot
months, be fed largely upon freshly-cut
clover or vegetables. Rotten apples.
decayed cabbage and other garden re-
fuse will not answer. The green food
must be fresh and clean. A very small
patch of clover viii furnish sufficient
food for four or five hogs the whole
summer, as it can be cut several times
over.
The hog would be clean animal if |
he had half a chance; but the idea pre-
walls that anything is good enough for |
hog; so he is fed upon all sorts of |
swills, slops and garbage. and expected |
to manufacture nice sweet hams and /
side meat out of it. While people con-
dnue to think that water from a muddy |
pool covered with green scum and near
y alive, and sour Stops from sinking
barrel is good enough for hogs to drink.
we must expect to hear of terrible losses
rom pneumonia. bilious fever and in
iammation of the bowels. all grouped
1nder the mysterious name of cholera. In /
order to obtain good meat. it is necessary
ofeed the hog with wholesome food and
supply it with clean water.
A cool, airy, nearly dark place to lie
N during the hot days of summer can
EASILY be provided by The intelligent
breeder at q small cost, and it will paw
argely in the increased health and
growth of the hog, and in preventing
he loss of fat In winter warm shed
With good bed of straw will make quite
! saving in food, and hogs will fatten a
ull third faster than If exposed to all
Kinds of weather. as can readily be prov
m by any one willing to make the ex-
pertinent. A heap of stable manure is
he worst place in the world for hog
,ed. II is impossible for them to inhale
he noxious gases arising from it night
'fter night and remain healthy. Such
bed is also a prolific source of weak backs
nd rheumatism.
II we desire to raise healthy and profit
BILE hogs, and make good clean pork.
We must pay more attention to their
bod, drink and quarters than to breed
nd Pedigrees, though the latter is an
important item and should be kept in
iew.-Cor. Eraniner and Chronicle.
instruments Of Death.