The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1896-05-29

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REARING BACON HOGS.

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REARING BACON HOGS.
"A streak OF Fat ana q; Streak OF
Lean 10 Wanted
Notwithstanding that all know the
day Of very fat pigs has departed in
Tho estimation of dealers and con-
sumers, farmers, as a rule are very
slow to learn the lesson. This has
troubled 60 much the English dealers
who receive our pork that they issued
+ circular on the subject some time
ego. Below give synopsis Of the
circular:
I'm consequence Of so many feeders
continuing to make their pigs too fat,
and the great difficulty we find in dis
posing Of over-fat bacon, combined
with the increasing competition from
foreign curers who are able to supply
leaner meat such CAS- the public require
we are obliged to take some very def
mite step to obtain leaner pigs, and
have decided to adopt the accompany
ling scale of prices, which is dependent
On the leanness of the pig as we'll as on
the weight. With the desire to allow
feeders as much margin as possible we
have reduced the minimum weight Of
40 pounds to 40, and extended the
limit Of $50 pounds to 100, making the
new scale for top prices from 40 to
100 pounds; but still subject to the
teanness of the pig and other grades in
proportion. The new scale will give
the best price to those feeders who
produce the most salable article, and
we trust will do much to check the pro-
duction of such pigs as are not re-
quired, however handsome they may
be to look upon.
1--WE would impress on feeders the
desirability Of breeding or buying only
such stores as are of good frame and
purposes, all short, thick pigs, which
rs to us. They will undoubtedly best
serve their interests by studying the
public taste, thus creating an increased
demand and consequent higher stand
ard of prices for their pigs. The meas
urements will be taken by specially
constructed gauges. by means Of which
the thickness Of fat in any part Of the
pig can be accurately determined"
1t has been doubted that thickness of
tat on any part Of pig could be told
without first cutting up the carcass,
but have been informed by person
who has seen it done that by certain
gauges and rules an expert can tell the
thickness of fat on the carcass any,
where, within an eighth Of an inch,
and many times tell it exactly. The
scale Of deduction from the regular
price for increased thickness Of fat is
interesting. will reduce English
money to decimal currency, emitting
insignificant fractions. A pig weighing
from 40 to 100 with thickness of fat
under 2h inches on any part of Its
back brings the top price. 1t the pig
weighs under 30 and the fat does not
exceed 2h inches in thickness on the
back 60 cents per hundred pounds Is
deducted. If the pig weighs between
21O and 23O, and the fat is between 2h
and on inches thick, 80 cents per hum
bred is deducted. And If the pig weighs
between 23O and 24O, and the fat does
Is deducted. A good deal of our bacon
finds a market in England, and the
price obtained there is gagged by these
rules; and Of course slaughterers and
shippers must conform to them. And
II producers-the farmers-do,nOt offer
pigs capable Of taking the top price as
bacon they must suffer a cut in price
accordingly. In my own local town
market are bacon curers, and notice
they pay more per pound tor bacon
pigs than the ruling price for pork to
be wet sailed and barreled. AS bacon
pork can be produced cheaper than tat
hogs it is a wonder more do not see
the point and act upon it. But corn
alone will not make bacon that will
bring the top price; clover, wheat, oats,
middlings and bran, in addition to
corn, are valuable factors in bacon
raking.-Galen Wilson. in National
Stockman.