The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1897-03-06
FARMER AND PLANTER.
SWINE BREEDING.

uap-Hasara Methods Cannot DO Relied |
Upon to Produce Good Results.
Many farmers value the hogs above
all other live stock ON the farm. The
porker has come to be regarded as the
creature to be relied upon for tie rent.
Many farmers have grown up from
ownership Of solitary pig to be pro-
prietors Of hundreds of acres on which
roamed hundreds of the pigs In this
industry, as In many others. the swine
breeder and feeder has applied his
thought and energy to the accom-
plishment Of fixed purpose. He has
planned from the lowest foundations
the realization of an ideal which re-
Quired many years to eliminate. The
fancy of the progressive breeder sees
far down In the future the finish of
q purpose, and views in advance
many probable difficulties as well
as the tedious details of many
intervening issues. The breeders
however, who are possessed Of this
foresight are not very numerous. Oc-
casionaliy some who have the acumen
to look ahead and recognize great pos
sibilities have not the steady purpose
and physical endurance combined to
apply themselves to such an end.
Remarkable results shave been ac-
complished by experts in handling the
hog. In a number of instances males
have been sold for breeding purposes
for 81, 600 or more each. A considera-
BILE number of females also have been
sold at prices ranging from $500 each
upward. 1t is well for those who view
these remarkable sales, with the pur-
pose of accomplishing the same re-
suits, to bear in mind that the
occasion of such sales rarely
comes to breeder. 1t is true
that some parties have made good
profits out of such purchases, and that
there was, of course, immediate money
to the seller at such prices. Such BUSH
ness, however, must he characterized
MS speculative, and involving, on this
account, great risk.
The usual purpose of the buyer Of
high-priced breeding-stock is to sell
{ the produce at exceptionally high fig-
ures, because of the merit evinced by
the high price of the parentage. The
buyers OF youngsters at several hun
dred dollars head, because of the
fact that the dam and sire are report
cd to have been sold for four-fgure
prices, forget at times that the pur-
chase of the high-priced parents was
snnde on the judgment, perhaps, of
one man who may have made a mis-
take in his estimate of value. 1t
is true, however, that under right
management and favorable condi-
tions there are hogs of both sexes, in
these times Of depression even. that
are worth 81 900 each. The men who
pay such prices, however, should have
resources enough to be in position to
take risks of death and of failure in
fertility.
This creature SO much despised by a
class of people is eminently the poor
mans friend. While there are risks OF
loss, there are again advantages not
found in any other domestic animal.
There is a litter of youngsters, half
dozen or more of them. instead of the
single offspring of other domestic ami.
mails. and in case eff the death of hall
of them, enough remain to insure q
little profit for the season. In the
case of aged sows two filters yea,
give the breeder double chance, al
compared with other live stock.
When the industry is depressed, the
small profits may be thus multiplied
and when values are high, the profit.
are greatly increased. The value o,
hog as scavenger as we'll as graz
ing animal makes it possible to grow
and mature on good portion of cheal
food; and, on the whole, the cost il
many instances for growth and fnisl
is com paratively slight, where tn,
feeder is an expert at furnishing tn,
different varieties of perisbable food
The great trouble in most cases o
failure in the management of swine Il
lack of variety of food. So man,
farmers try to avoid care in handling
swine by fencing them within a dr.
lot. and feeding dry corn almost ex
clusively, and are then surprised tina
success does not follow such a policy
The thoughtful, industrious and pains
taking breeder furnisller abundance
Of grazing throug hout the year wher
bluegrass is available for winter, thu
insuring strong constitution and Wig
orous powers of digestion.
In the absence of grazing during tn
winter season. the progressive feede
will have provided root crops, vegeta
bles or fruit which, with other succu
lent foods. will prove good substitute
for grazing. Thus it is that cheap an,
perishable foods may be made to dis
place one-half of the more valuabl
corn, oats and other cereals, and tn
animals are usually healthier becaus
of the judicious use of such food. B.
right management. too. the root an
vegetable crops may be produced O.
the same ground which has furnishe
an early crop of winter wheat or rye
Pumpkins, turnips and other crops ca
he READILY grown IN such Or0uud A