Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1893-04-27

| uubinehh as permanent Drnnch Of
farming, and who have worked under
safe, conservative business methods in
feeding and management have general
ly been successful, II is like following
the advice of Talmage: Choose your
occupation, young man, then stick to
it," II this is the line upon which sue
cess may be acquired in trades and pro-
fessions, how true must it be of the
stoclS-raiser.
The question of supply and demand
in farm products is one which has com
manded so much attention from the
best thinkers in the land that shrink
from approaching the subject. How
ever the ex-president of the Kansas
Improved Stock-Breeders' association,
in his annual address few days ago,
asked the pertinent question; Where
is the Big FourP" Doubtless the gen.
tleman imagined he had propounded
sumner" from his prominent posi-
ton, amid the brightness cast by the
dizzy light Of present prices Allow
me to say to you that the big Four
is putting up at the old stand, and
mark my words, unless there is
change, the future will still find the
big Four" or the big Three" in bus
mess at the old stand lido not hesitate
to say that, at this time, as we'll as
every day during the last decade, the
price of every hog and beef is dictated
in Chicago. Supply and demand may
influence, but they do not control
prices. The forcing of the grain mar
ket from thirty cents to one dollar, and
down again to sixty cents in one day,
was clearly the work of spectators.
The fluctuations in price of beef and
pork is just MS clearly the work of the
packing-house owners. That the "Bie
Four" has the power the hold up prices
to the producer while disposing of the
accumulated products of the packing
house to the consumer is logicil
The gradual reopening of foreign
markets has proved to be a boon to hog
raisers, not only as an outlet for prod
ucts, as competing markets. at time
when ruin stared ut those who remained
in the business, while many were actu-
ally giving up in despair, but as a
bright hope in the future, and clearly
illustrating the grand idea of free, open
markets for the farmer These are
questions which come home to every
tiller of the soil and merit the consider
alton OF everyone who has at heart the |
welfare of those who depend upon fair |
and honest returns for the products OF |
labor.
| believe the action OF the Kansas
Swine Breeders association indorsing |
government inspection of meats, and |
favoring the extension of the same To |
cover the entire meat product, was one |
of the prime factors in elevating prices. |
The system of inspection whereby GER |
tificates of soundness are attached to |
the carcasses, creates respect abroad |
and inspires confidence among home |
consumers upon the question of health |
full food.
How long will present range of prices
reward the hog-raiser? No one can
definitely answer. 1t is safe to say
that prices will be 'remunerative
throughout the next twelve months,
and possibly two years, possibly longer
The packers must necessarily hold out |
respectable prices rs a matter of policy
to the producer, while selling the accu.
mulated stores now on hand and |
bought at present prices.
The question of breeding and man.
agement for future profit, basing plans
and calculations upon present condi-
tions, is one which should be met by
calm judgment and discretion rather
than fevcrish excitement and specula-
ton. Take care NOT to overstock the
farm beyond its feeding capacity Keep
no more than can be well fed and pro-
vided with comfortable shelter, ample
yards and pastures, There is more
more pleasure and more
profit in half the number of well-brcd
and well-fed hogs than IN whole lot
of half-starvcd, squealing, hungry
brutes. Breed from the best stock and
be content with no other. Easy-feed-
ing, early-maturing are the sort that
can be raised and marketed within an
other year The slow-growing hog
that requires eighteen months to two
years to mature and fatten belongs to
slow-going man who will reach the
end of the road to find the chestnuts all
raked in by some more progressive and
energetic neighbor. The coming hog
is one that can be marketed in six to
nine months Kansas Farmer