Woodruff County news., 1901-09-05
FARMER AND PLANTER.
A PROFITABLE SIDE ISSUE.
Raising Hogs On the Farm, at Pres ent Prices of Meat, a PrOf1ta-
 bIe Side Line.

Hogs have always been a profitable side issue upon every farm. They live so cheaply and mature so quickly that there is always a good margin of profit. Soon after the war of the eos the stealing of hogs became such constant source of loss to farmers that very many gave up raising hogs entirely. Having once fallen into the habit of buying meat, a large part of the farming population have contin- ued to do so. This has been partic ularly so with the tenant class.
 This was very unfortunate. Many millions )f dollars have been paid for western meat that should have been kept at home.
 At present prices of meat, hogs will pay. Every farmer should at least raise his own home supply. He can raise it for one-half he pays for it. The improved breeds of hogs will make good porkers in from nine to eleven months.
 The cost of growing them will de- pend upon the management. If a lit tie care is taken to provide good pas lures of Bermuda, and then arrange ments made to supplement these with suitable forage crops, the cost of growing hogs will be very little. Patches of ground-pease, cow-peas, sorghum, sweet potatoes, etc, may be so arranged that they will have 1r nf oI, a11 through the season.
 The old idea of feeding hogs en- tirely upon corn has given way to new and better methods. Growing a succession of such crops as those men, toned above and many others not mentioned, makes it easy to have fine hogs for killing that have cost very little.
 The new and improved breeds help to do this. The hog is no longer de- pendent upon ''rooting" for a living. The old adage, "root hog or die," is no longer applicable. It is now "eat hog and grow" The best hogs have very little disposition to root. They prefer to eat and lie down and digest. The roaming razor-back roadster has had his day and passed away. The compact, quick growing, easy fatten- ing. lazy hog has taken his place. The chief point is to keep them healthy by giving them plenty of wa ter, and clean beds and a constant change of food. The much dreaded cholera is easily avoided by feeding upon vegetables, such as turnips, cab bage, potatoes, and fruits that fall from the trees.
 Not only is it well for every farmer to raise hogs enough to make the meat for his own farm, but hogs are profitable crop to grow for sale There is money raising hogs as a bus mess. Not only can money be made selling pure breeds at fancy prices, but selling meat.
 From all we can learn the north west will be very short on corn. That means short on hogs. That means high prices for meat. That means money to the man who has hogs for sale. We remember the old time hog 1NAAhAtS' oAAu lt Iul lllo uS WlGn plcdSlnS emotions to this day. Our farm was a small affair, yet we had about forty fine fat hogs to kill every fall. Up be- fore day, light the great log fire, heat the rocks and with them the water. Take the keen knife, whirl the hog upon his back and find his heart. Then the pulling off the hair, and frying the melts on the hot rocks and blowing the bladders for Christmas. 1t was a jolly good time, feasting on spare ribs, sausage and cracking bread and brains. We can not help feeling sort of pity for the boy who never took part in old time hog kill ing.
 If it paid to raise hogs in those days, when meat was cheap, it will pay better now, when it is high.
 A small family can raise a few hogs from the household and kitchen slops These will often make a years sup ply of meat and cost nothing but little forethought.
 We urge our readers to try hogs. at least home supply.-Dixie Farmer. IMPORTANCE OF FALL CROPS