Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-09-29
HOW 70 FEED THE HOG
An Experienced Hog Breeder
Tells How to Raise Porkers
Outside Corn Belt
WRITES SECRETARY WILSON
Head of the Agricultural Department
Acquiesces in the Views and Makes
the Letter Subject of an Interesting
Report-News of General Interest to
the Public.

Washington, Sept. 29.-secretary
Wilson, Of the department Of agricul-
ture. has just authorized the publica-
ton of a pamphlet arguing that hogs
can be successfully raised outside the
corn belt. written by George M. Rom
nell, formerly Of Mt. Pleasant. Iowa.
Mr.. Rommell is one of the most ener-
getic and progressive men in the ag-
gricultural department. He was Civ
en- his present position by Secretary
Wilson, who admires him greatly. He
is a graduate of the Iowa State Col
lege at Ames.
Mr.. Rommell treats the subject in a
thoroughly scientific and most inter
esting manner. 1t is especially appro
pirate that he should handle such a
subject and it is especially interesting
to Iowa since the Hawkeye state pro-
duces more hogs than any other state
in the union or any community o.
equal size in the world. In part Mr..
Rommell says:
Corn and Hogs.
THE first place in hog raising in
the United States is easily with the
corn growing sections. and here corn
is the first grain thought Of when the.
fattening of animals, especially hogs,
is mentioned. 1t is, however, fallacious
to argue that hog feeding will not
give profitable returns outside Of the
corn belt. The corn belt has wonder
full advantages for economical pork
production, but it also has its disad-
vantages, one Of which is the bad eff
feet on fecundity Of feeding too much
corn to breeding stock. Any locality
that will grow clover Of any species,
that Is favorable to the production of
alfalfa, peas or beans. or where grains
are readily grown-not only corn, but
barley. wheat, oats or rye-wlll be
favorable situation for the successful
production Of pork. If 1t is locality
where dairying is common, no better
advantages are required; for, given
leguminous pasture - clover, alfalfa,
peas, beams etc.,-as a basis, with
grain feed that can be readily grown,
and also dairy by-products, the very
highest grade of pork can be produce
SSN'e.
feeds alone is an item Of immense inn
portance in feeding. An animal tires of
a constant ration of one kind, and is
more easily put off feed at such
times than when he is occasionally
supplied with change to keep his APP
petite keen Not only has. variety of
feed an influence on appetite. but 1T
results in a better quality OF pork.
Good Feed in the South.
"The few states comprising the corn
belt are in reality the source OF supply
for a great amount of the meat pro-
duct, especially hams and bacon, that
is consumed in other portions of the
country. Yet the advantages OF many
of these corn belt states are little, II
at all, superior to those outside of THAI
district. The south has an abundance
of vegetation. Cowpeas. velvet beans
and peanuts are leguminous crops
that are peculiar to that section. Corn
grows readily in all parts Of the south
and in the subtropical portions the ex-
perience Of feeders with cassaVa
seems to indicate that it has considers
able value for pork production. In adj
dition, there is generally an abundant
water supply; the climate is mild and
there is a long period during which
green feed is available; the expense
of shelter and winter feeding is very
greatly lessened. These conditions,
giving a long period Of pasture and
outdoor life, enhance thrift and with
proper MANAGEMENT insure great free
dom from disease.
"In the extreme west the alfalfa OF
the irrigated valleys and the clover OF
the coast districts give a splendid
foundation for successful pork produc-
ton. In most of these regions there
is an abundance OF small grain, par
tic,,larly barley, that may often be
fed economically. while in some locai-
tiles corn is a successful crop.
BARLEY is of so much interest and
importance in the production OF prime
pork that it demands more than pass
ing notice.
"The purpose of these remarks is
not to minimize the value OF corn III
meat production of any kind. Corn Is,
perhaps. with a favorable climate and
soil. the most economical grain that
is al the command of the stock raiser
and feeder of the United States. 1t Is
nutritious and highly. palatable. With
out its use it is difficult to imagine
how the animal products of the Uni
ted States could have attained their
present position in the worlds com-
merce; and so long as meat products
are factor of American agriculture,
corn will probably be leading factor
in meat production in this country and
the corn belt will naturally continue
to be more or less the center Of feed
ing operations On the other hand,
the condition is ever present that far
mers in localities where corn Is linn