The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-04
swine preedins.

1t has been repeated many times within
the last few months that swine raising Is
Just nov probably the most profitable
farm work that anyone can engage in.
says the Epltomist. The price OF hogs Is
very high, while all grain is SO low that
Il pays in come instancc IS 10 feed L to the
swine rather than sell IL. In fact there
are very few seasons when 1t does not pay
to feed Some grain to the hogs, They 40
so much better by ~ ana they are sure 70
return the money with good interest.
1t IS dangerous, however 70 enter INTO
a new business In headlong haste simply
because just now IL Is paying. Probably
a are;tt number of farmers will begin to
raise hogs on a larger plan simply through
the recommendation Of the agricultural
press There may be another season too
many hogs to make the business prohta-
bic II Is Just as well 70 go cautiously
and not abandon everything else Win the
idea that swine raising Is going 10 pay al
of the bills.
Nevertheless, the writer has great faith
in swine raising. and when Il Is properly
coiA ucted, there Is good money IN 1t.
There ARE seasons when the margin of
profits Is small but there are other years
when IL IS large. We must average the
profits for n number OF years for any in
dustry to determine whether there Is
profit in the work. This is the way with
hog raising on the average II pays we'll
There IS no disputing this and those who
have shown their faith In II by pursuing
ii steadily year after year are reaping the
rewards this season There Is more de-
mand for hogs than the farmers can sup
ply. had this viii continue for some time
Good breeds of hogs must be raised in
order 10 find profit IN the work. II one
VIII select these, and then study the
methods of feeding 70 thar We can get tho
best returns for the chcapeat food, he is
sure TO lind money in the work. when pur-
sued regularly and determinedly year
after year. The very first year mny prove
n disastrous one. but other good ones will
come This Is true in every business, and
It is those who get discouraged and give
fail IN everything We haye good breeds
Of swine in the Poland China. Chester
Whites. Duroc Jerseys or Nictorias, and
there is really little preference to be made
They are generally good breeders ana
good pork makers. The different breeds
hove certain characteristics which diner
The Chesters. Snffolks and Yorlshircs
are all prcdisnosed 10 fat the Poland
Chinas berkshire and Cheshire incline
toward lean meats. the Jerseys are good
for ronshing II in rough parts of the coun-
This work The Poland Chinas are good
aall,round hogs, end they are very popular
When the hrgse is selected the animals
should be fed With a variety OF food that
WIN keep them healthy and strong. For
Instance, In the summer they need plenty
Of grass and clover One acre of good
clover VIII support seven fun grown hogs
and very little else need be given 10 them
IN the hot weather. A little grain added
TO this ration would help them. Ia the
winter they should be given roots po-
tntoes. tsrnlps, sprouts hay, ainall grains
and corn. The lattcr foods must prsdlmi-
nate then. especially II they are being
fattened for market. The corn IN fact
~ the greatest heNtinE and fattening food
hut u = bad for the hogs except when
they are being prepared for slaughter
any Intelligent farmer can follow IN this
diet and IN the end he VIII nnd II cheaper
than 20 feed the hogs almost eSclusively
corn and filthy swirl