The gold leaf., 1893-12-07
TALKS ABOUT HOG RAISING.
Sam Clark on the Hog.

The following tribute to the hog has
been widely published without credit.
Mr.. Wallace, of the Ioz0a Homestead,
SAYS he knows of but one man who
could have written it-Sam Clark, Of
that State, for many years aprominent
breeder-and that it was delivered, he
thinks, at the annual meeting OF the
American Poland China Record Asso-
citation at Cedar Rapids, two years
ago:
For 5000 years the hog has been
the object of derision and contempt.
SO intensely has he been despised that
to hate him has been pleasure. So
bitter was the antipathy that herdsmen,
keepers oe the hog, were regarded as
" boors'' and ostracised from society.
Mankind turned from him in contempt
and called him unclean. While all
others of Gods creatures in the animal
kingdom have been worshipped by
heathen idolators, the hog was supposed
to have wallowed so low in the mire Of
corruption and nastiness that no
tongue in the heather lands could be
found to do him reverence. No knee
would bow to worship at his shrine-a
wandering vagabond, an outcast, d
scavenger, left to "root hog or die. !"
The devils entered in, took possession
of his passions and plunged him in the
sea. But, behold, amidst all this he
"saves his bacon" and lives, takes a
new "route," and, Phoenix like, he
crises from the ashes
The hog acknowledges no superior.
Attempt to drive him and he will
"right about" and stand face with
any man, and, with the daring bravery
of Napoleon, he will charge through
solid phalanx. Behold him, bred SO
fine with blood SO blue, that his nose
is now turned up at all makind He
supplies the hungry world with meat
SO sweet and nutritious that it is sought
after by rich and poor" Armour, -
the rich. He is furnishing the grease
to run the machinery of the world.
The busy spindles and looms hum
night and day, oiled with his lard.
The wheels of the ponderous trains
groaning under the weight and COM
merce of a nation, are fabricated with
his fat The boot and shoe trade Of
civilization is made to bustle with his
bristles. Wealth and lucre recognize in
him the :'almighty dollar" and bow in
submission to his sway. Intelligent
and digni6ed yoemanry listen for
whispers of his wants, and, anticipating
his needs, hasten to supply them.
States and nations send learned
scientists in silk hats and somber
Prince Alberts to inquire after his
health and welfare.
Majestically and grandly he moves
with an irresistible power that sweeps
across the seas where startled empires
kingdoms and republics sit in stately
celebration to legislate on his coming.
Germany, England, and France have
said to American pork and lard
"Thus far shalt thou come and nc
farther; here shalt thy proud waves be
stayed" but, ere another year roll:
round, they will be willing to carry
him to the most stately palace on
"howery beds of ease" He ha:
grown to such weight that his gigantic
tread shakes the financial circles O
two hemispheres. Words are idle
No encomiums from me or eulogies ir
response can do him proud. He ha
"passed the Rubicon." He needs nc
monumental pile to rear its lofty
head to heaven" no princely dome
whose towering heights shall pierce
the stormy clouds to tell of his impor
tance. His grease-his grease alone
rendered-is immortal.
| Beautiful bog
Oh, the hog, the well-bred hog,
With pedigree filling catalogue
| Over the corn, over the farm,
Under the fence, into the barn,
Grunting,
| Squealing,
Roofing along.
Beautiful hog, with an OdOr SO strong,
Gorging on corn, with appetite great,
| Turning to grease, Oblivious to fate ;
Beautiful hog, with curl in your tail,
Fat as an alderman filled up with ale.