The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-07-20

SAShJ1 oA1s&A ~ II VlRASiAS Va
Agriculture.
Reports gathered from the various
meat packing centers of this country
SHOW tuberculosis of hogs to be OF the
increase and causing heavier loss to
raiser and packer alike than any othe
disease.
Statistics show that a~year ago there
were over $4,000, 600 hogs in this coun-
try and their value at that time was
over 1899, 900, 900. Federal inspection
at the abattoirs of the country show
2 per cent of the hogs slaughtered to
be affected with tuberculosis. Reports
from Europe show a far more wide
spread infection that runs as high as
5 .5tO Us per cent.
The small amount of money re-
CURED to start in the h~og-raising bust
ness and the quick returns ON the
amount invested make it an attrac-
tive field for operations Hogs will
make greater gains on less feed han
almost any other live stock and at
the same time utilize profitably waste
food products of every variety if prop
erly prepared. AS tuberculosis Of hogs
is chiefly contracted through feeding,
the significance of the latter feature
is obvious.
Hogs from Arkansas, Oklahoma and
Texas are remarkably free from tu-
b~erculosis, due to the methods of car
ing for them, or rather the lack of
care. They are not restricted to feed
lots, where disease is commonly
found. but roam over large areas to
shift for themselves. No prolonged
feeding is practiced in narrow limits,
but from birth to maturity they are
pastured or alfalfa, oats, corn, rape
and peanuts. Hogs raised in the for
est regions of Hungary are likewise
rarely affected with tuberculosis. In
striking contrast are the hogs slaught-
cred at three cities in one of the lead
ing dairy states where there are a
large number Of cooperative cream
cries and the raw skinned milk is
fed.
Buyers for packing houses are
learning from bitter experience to
avoid sections of certain states and
two firms will not buy hogs from one
state known to be badly infected.
An Investigation carried or by the
Bureau of Animal Industry in a GER
tain section of the middle west ON
sisted of tagging hogs hauled to mar
ket in wagons. OF 1920 animals ag-
ged it was learned that all of the af-
fected stock ,ame from less than six
per cent of the farms.
1t is known beyond doubt that the
majority of tuberculosis hogs are pro-
duced by the following causes:
1. Feeding raw milk and slime
from creameries.
2. Feeding hand-separated milk
from tuberculosis cows.
5. Feeding behind tuberculosis cat
tie.
4. Feeding tuberculosis carcasses.
S. Feeding slaughter house offal.
Sooner or later the packed Wa
buy subject to pOst-mortem eXami-
nation. as some are now doing with
certain classes Of email cattle. Then
the hog raiser who persists in fat
tening with tuberculous material will
be made to feel the cost of his indif-
ference or lack of knowledge. Today
the buyer makes his purchases with
the knowledge that a proportion Of
his animals will be condemned and
the price liked accordingly, with the
result that the careful breeder suffers
with the careless one. This is not
equitble. But when the packer buys
subject to pOst-mOrtem results the
painstaking and intelligent raiser viii
receive more than he does now and
the ignorant or Indifferent breeder
will get less, which is more nearly
a fair deal for all concerned.
Wire Worms i'm The Corn.