The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-02-22
The Berkshire HOG.

y. w. diobard. or bennington, has
been in Springfield. ILL.,, this week at
tending the annual meeting of the
American Berkshire congress. He was
on the program for FIVE minute paper.
which is given herewith:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen:-The
question before us at this time is of
more Importance to country like ours.
and especially to commonwealth like
Michigan, than could be properly
answered in the time allotted to me at
this time, even were able to do so.
But to prove the short answer l shall
make to it, will outline some of the
conditions as see them affecting it,
First. / am reporting from state
not included in the so.called Corn Belt.
That Michigan is a peninsula and that
is a point of land extending out into the
water is known fact, hence it is a
state almost by herself and with condi-
tions differing materially from most
states that are represented here.
With the fact before us, that in less
than one half century, to the positive
knowledge of the writer, more than
two thirds of the entire state was vast
wilderness, which proved to be mine
of wealth where fortunes have been
made as well as lost, and that half a
century of time has brought another
great change. This vast area of land
becomes waste and must be put to
usefulness, and it is today being taken
up by different classes of men and is
being cleared of its stumps and made to
produce large and profitable crops.
Second. Michigan is state compos-
ed of small farms and, as rule, is
owned by its occupants it is a state
adapted to diversified farming by hav-
ing soil and climate suitable to the
growing of nearly all of the agricultur.
al products of the world, and while
these conditions may not excel in
quantity or number many of the
other states, but can excel in quality
We shall contend at this time that this
is true in the production of the hog.
While we may not produce the number
that many of our so-called corn states
do, the quality is equal. That the value
of the hog product in our state COM
pares favorably with all the other agri-
cultural pursuits of the state is true,
for you will find more or less hogs on
every farm, and with this vast area of
land that is so fast being brought into
use tor agricultural purposes, we are
assured good market for well bred
stock for good many years to come for
the farmer of today has learned that in
ferior stock of any kind can not be kept
on the farm and compete with good,
we'll bred stock.
Third. Why the Berkshire is bound
to win first place in Michigan is that
they are hog that can adapt them
selves to any and all conditions. The
better the conditions, the better they
will pay. And with the fact that we
produce all the various kinds of foods
that are required to make a good hog,
the Berkshire cannot fall short.
Again Michigan has climate such
that we are practically free from the
diseases that are such drawbacks in the
rearing of swine i'll many places. hence
we are as rule able to give clean bill
Of health.
Fourth. Is the fact that we have the
only independent association of swine
breeders in the state that is looking
after the interest of its bred, and our
association is composed of bright and
competent men who are always alert to
do anything that will advance the in
terest of the Berkshire. And that the
number of members compares favorably
with similar organizations in other
states, and while the number of animals
contained in their herd may not be as
many, the quality is as good.
Fifth. The fact that the Berkshire
in Michigan is keeping pace with other
states is the report from the American
Berkshire Association. for volumes 25
and 26 of its records, in giving the ten
leading states in furnishing animals for
records for volume 25, Michigan was
not included, but in their report.
volume twenty-six, she has gained a
place in the list and even passed one of
the Oldest states IN number furnished.
That Michigan is in line in the hold
ing of public sales of Berkshires, the
best way yet known to advance the in
terests Of any bred, believe, is true.
And while this mode of selling is in it's