Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1912-02-09


MANY farmers believe that it is
impossible to raise hogs, and pro-
duee pork in this Intermountain
country al a profit. Some, and
perhaps the majority of them, be-
lieye that hogs cannot be grown
and fattened at a profit IN any
country where corn cannot be
abundantly and cheaply grown; IN
fact. they are not backward in eA-
pressing their conviction that hogs
cannot be grown and fattened with
Out corn. After some years eX-
perience in hog growing and lat-
tenlng in this western country, we
are convinced that these men are
greatly mistaken, and we believe
that this section offers many ad-
vantages for pork production that
are not to be found in any other
section of Lne United States.
1t may be said that there are i've
prime factors that have to do VIII
profitable pork production In any
country; these are, first the aDlllty'
experience and taste of the farmer;
second; the nature OF the climates
third. the character OF the SOIL,
and its capacity to produce an
abundance of suitable feed product
cheaply; fourth, the prevalence ol
disease. and fifth and most lmpor-
liant. the demand for pork products
OF the availability of a good mar
ket. Let US consider briefly these
five factors, and apply them to our
conditions. and see how nearly we
fill the bill in this section. In
the first instance, we have as pro-
gressive a lot Of farmers as may pc
fonnd in any section of the coun-
trv. IT Is true that many, In fact'
most Of them have not that know
ledge and skill in the business OF
r..ariDg and feeding swine that Ia
sures success. but ohis skill ana
knowledge can be secured III
very short time with a little prac-
tieaI experience and careful study.
# can. therefore, be said that in so
far as the first factor is concerned
that our conditions are favorable.
As regards the climate, this sec
lion cannot be excelled in any
other part of this continent for hog
raising. This is a broad statement,
but I believe the facts suDstantlate
it The weather is uniformly dry,
the seasons are moderate, the air
pure and invigorating and the sun
shine abundant and strong. Ihere
is only one serious objection to our
climate from the hogs standpoint
and that is our extreme variations
of temperature in each twenty-four
hours: and this objection, while a
very serious one if not guarded /
against. is very readily overcome.
The hog is by nature a seml-trop- !
ical animal, he has light coat OF /
very coarse hair at best, ana Is
consequently very susceptible to
cold or chills. Again, the hog has
no perspiration or sweat glands III
his skin and though he be semi
animal naturally, Is very
easily overcome with heat. Most |
other animals, including man, are
providentially equipped with
means of cooling the surface OF
heir bodies through evaporation OF
The perspiration which exudes iron
.ne open pores of their skin when
ever the temperature of the BODY
rises abnormally. This mercful
of nature has been de-
MED the hog, consequently, wnen
ne is exposed to the burning not
sun during the middle OF the day,
and his body becomes oyerheated'
ne should be provided with some
Kind of shelter or shade; and with
some means OF supplying moisture
ror evaporation from the surface
If his body. On the other hand
when the sun goes down, and the
.h;n air from tne mountains de-
sends into the valleys in the
evening. or during Inc night, the
log having no adequate covering OF
,air is very readily chilled. The
'esult of which is very apt to be
or;o,,s from pneumonia and other II
pulmonary troubles particularly
n the case of young pigs and very
at animals. In summer. 1t IS M
,ortant. therefore, that hogs should
'e furnished with some shelter IN
he Ilelas. We proviue small "A II