The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-06-26
The Southern Hog.

by the Introduction Of better blood in
the hog II is claimed the pork production
IN many sections of the West has been
doubled the improved stock are made to
weigh at from nine to fifteen months as
much as thenatives at eighteen to twenty
Tour month, says a correspondent of
home and Farm. Breeding for early
maturity, without sacrificing size and
quality and constitution, is the secret of
success in the improved blood. What
has been done in the West and North
west can be just as easily accomplished
here We have decided advantages over
the North and West-cheaper lands and
labor and cheaper foods, a greater variety
OF crops, a longer growing season, cheaper
building materials to erect shelters, and
a better market, n market right at our
doors without shipping.
Our people ought to avail themselves of
these advantages. Why should a single
pound Of pork be imported into
the south from the west7 We have all
heard 1t said that a system of exclusive
cotton culture would not pay; then why
not combine swine raising with the cotton2
The two viii dOve-tail nicely together.
The profit of the one will at least make
good the losses from the other
Grass Is the cheapest and best Of all
crops for hogs, as well as for horses cattle
and sheep. There is no better grazing for
hogs than Bermuda and Lespediza, and
both can be had permanently with very
little outlay of money. When the grasses
fail there are other crops, cheaply grown
and harvested (the hogs will do their own
harveSting), that will give fine results in
producing cheap pork The south is the
home of the peanut sweet potato, chufa,
artichoke, and cow pea-au these crops
very cheaply raised and splendidly
adopted to the needs of hogs, whether to
promote quick growth or put on heavy
and speedy-made fat. The idea that
fatten swine successfully is only magma
tive contrary to healthy theory and
substantial facts, at variance with the
best judgment of the best minds and con-
trary to the multiplied experiences of
those in the South who have tested all
the prominently mentioned hog foods.
We can grow corn in this southern cOun-
try as cheaply as anywhere, but there are
other crops better for hogs and more
cheaply grown than corn. We only need
to feed little corn few weeks before
slaughtering, in order to harden the flesh,
and this is not imperative If our people
will only get this foolish idea out of their
heads-that corn is absolutely essential
to success in swine breeding-then they
will be in proper frame of mind to 60 in
to the hog business with hopeful evidence
of much success.
As long as our southern people continue
to purchase the major portion of their
pork products from the North and West,
we need not expect any considerable de-
gree of prosperity rs an agricultural peo-
pie. We cannot afford it. The drain
upon our finances is too great, they will
not stand it. We must Keep this money
at home and giveit circulation here where
it is so much needed and where it will
do us all good Think of how vast sum
of money is sent out of the South annually
to pay for western hog products! The
sum IS enormous. 1t reflects upon our in
telligence as people It's standing ad-
vertisement to the world of our non-pro-
gressiveness and unthriftiness. Suppose
all this money was retained at home and
put in circulation here, how much it
would add to the wealth of this southern
country In a country where money is
scarce it is difficult to amass money; but
in country where money circulates
plentifully there is a far better chance for
you and for me and for all of US to get our
fingers on some of it, More attention
ought to be paid to swine husbandry in the
South. There is no question about the
profits to be derived therefrOm.