The Progress., 1894-04-07

The Hog Farm.
In selecting farm for brcc ling
purposes there are two things that
should be especially considered:
First, The natural conditions Of
the location.
Second, Facilities for marketing
Under the first division Of our sub
jcct we will consider soil, drainage,
climate and food.
The soil should be sand and clay.
Such soil is often found adjoining
fertile prairies and is usually found
on broken or hill land whore there is
natural drainage, thus we secure at
once a firm, dry run for our hogs In
any kind of weather. The sand in
the soil causes it to dry off in Il few
hours after the hardest rams, It
also cuts off and scOurs the foot thus
preventing the hoof from growing
out too long and turning up sicigh
runner fashion, as it will sometimes
in wet light loans. Good drainage
is very important feature in hog
farm and no artificial drainage will
do as we'll as natures own. We
have seen hogs kept on farms where
| they had to wade i'll mud and sluSh
l. up to their sides for q month at u
time.
1t is impossible for hogs to thrive
under such conditions. If the OK
posture does not kill them the neccs-
Bity of eating continually out of mud
contaminated with their own void
ingS and every other filth occasioned
by herd of hogs will sooner or later
generate disease.
On the other hand where the
drainage is natural by slopes or hills
the weddings are continually washed
away, thus atfording clean, healthy
runs for the hogs. While hills and
valleys with plenty of spring water
afford the best hog farms, one should
locate as near the head Of q stream
as practicable, because of the great
danger of stock becoming infected
with hog cholera and other diseases
This would be an objection to locat
ing on stream whore other farms
were or could be opened farther up.
All animals are affected in q
greater or less degree by climatic in
luences and the hog which in the
wild state is native of tropical
countries has in his domestication and
Improvement been brought under
such conditions as have fitted him
more particularly for temperate
climate. Hogs as bred to-day do
not thrive in either extreme Of
temperature, hence climate should
be considered when selecting a breed
ing farm. a
A model breeding farm should be
provided with a large timber lot.
The conserving influence of a wood
pasture where the days will be
cooler and the nights warmer-the
summer suns heat cooled and the
winters winds softened dOwn-can
scarcely be estimated.
In selecting a breeding farm one
should see that one at least of the
slopes incline towards the east or
seatheast. The value of such a
slope for breeding pens is worth con-
sidering. Messrs. Sheppard and
Alexander and many others have
availed themselves OF such slopes for
their breeding pens and can testify
to the benefits Of the morning. sun
upon early spring filters.
Food, as you all know, is no unlm-
portant factor in hog raising, hence,
the breeding farm should be located
where an abundance of food can be
procured at reasonable prices In
order to best secure this condition
the farm should De forty or fifty
miles from large centers or metrop-
oils.
Second, marketing OF stock.
The marketing of stock to good
advantage is especially important.
The farm should be SO located as to
have convenient access to IL by visit
ors and afford good shipping facili-
ties by freight and express. 1t
you'd not be advisable to locate five
or ten miles from postoffice or
railroad station which could be
reached only over roads which are
often so muddy or rough q, to make
them almost impossible. One should
be so located as to receive mail not
less frequently than every other day,
for delays often cause awkward blum
ders in the way of meeting visitors,
replying to inquiries, etc,-Read be-
fore the Illinois Expert Judge asso-
citation, by T. B. Lemon.
Planting Different Varieties.
Among the many interesting and
valuable articles | have read in the
Journal | have been favorably i'm
pressed with Farmers Clubs, Reading
Circles, etc." by Waters, in wbich
the writer handles his subject in q
mastery manner. If all the farmers
and fruit growers in the state would
read the article referred to and act
on the advice and suggestions it
would soon make them a great
financial gain and bring new hope
and cheer to rural life through the