Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-12

Custom Is responsible for many strange
usages and IL is surprising how com
pletely the natural instincts OF an animal
may be lost sight OF when IL Is brought
under domestication. There Is probably
no more remarkable example OF this than
in the management Of hogs. 1t is the rule
rather than the exception, TO see these
animals confined in cramped quarters and
In surroundings OF the most unsanitary
nature A constant endeavor 10 made 70
nurture the hog on artificial fooos IN
which corn largely predominates, and so
strongly has this method OF raising ana
handling these animals become entrench-
ed in our minds that IL now seems strange
10 many that any other method OF hand
ling would be practicable or even advis-
able; yet II Is q fact that the hog under
natural conditions Is an Omnivorous ami
NAL cleaning his livelihood largely from
roots and herbs. IL Is also recognized
that the highest quality OF pork Is mace
where the hog is permitted 70 enjoy the
largest measure OF freedom IL Is true
that we probably can not force the ami
mails 20 mature as quickly under these con-
dftfons as where they are penned and led
on such concentrates as corn. but X II
unquestioned that We can raise them
much cheaper when allowed the freedom
OF a considerable range, by reason OF the
fact that they viii gather by far the larg-
er amount OF the food needed in their nu-
triton. and hence insure q great saving IN
the consumption of grain. which has now
become so high-priced as 70 render its
feeding 10 hogs q questionable practee
from the standpoint OF economy In some
sections OF the south Probably the high
urice and comparative scarcity Of corn ac-
count for the extent to which hog raising
has been neglected. Yet there Is no IN
dustry which may be engaged in with less
cost 50 far as the first investment - con-
cerned. or with greater certainly Of proft-
ABLE results II the least degree Of skill and
enterprise Is exercised In the management
OF the herd
MiIIions OF dollars would be annually
uaved to the south were the pork products
consumed within our borders raised here
al home. Hence. the development OF
swine husbandry becomes matter or
great economic importance and the oues-
ton largely resolves itself into our ability
TO make pork with a minimum amount
Of grain. That this question has been
solved successfully a few perosns will
readily admit. but there are thousands
who are probably stIll OF the opinion that
n n impossible 10 raise hogs on grazing
crops with a moderate amount OF grain
TO tide them over certain seasons OF the
year. ana possibly 10 finish them on in
the fall Could the raising OF hogs on
grazing crops be made part Of the prac-
tee OF every farmer who is situated so
as to raise hogs advantageously by this
method. a revolution in this line or nus
handry would quickly follow. This being
true. a DISCUSSION Of soiling crops for the
economic production Of pork Is matter
well worthy OF earnest attention. Many
plans may be followed and no one can be
suxgested which viii meet the individual
needs OF every farmer. In fact. IL Is in
flnitely better that IL should not do so,
for the zest OF an enterprise when viewed