The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-02-01
MOUNTAIN AGRICULTURE
by Mr. Spence FERN Demonstration and Special
investigator

the happiest lad in the state OF Ken
lucky. at any rate among the 1900
or more pig club boys in the State.
Earnest made known his desire
to become a pig club member early
in the year TO County Agent w. II.
Reynolds, his persistence being so
strong that his father decided to let
him try his hand, and got him the
best bred Duroc pig TO be had, re-
uuesting the county agent TO make
the selection.
Prince Henry 2nd was selected
and weighed on May goth. together
with all the club pigs in the county.
balancing the scales at i6 pounds.
Earnest was at the little railroad
town of Bond to receive him. and
on that day started a contest that
has in all probability resulted in
the lowering of the state record as
to cost per pound production and
daily gains i'm pounds. Little Ear
nest was present everywhere that
day propounding questions to the
county agent as to feeding methods,
sanitation, etc. and how well he fol-
lowed instructions are to be seen
in his record. Earnest did not de-
pend upon his father altogether to
feed and care for his pig, but did
that himself while the whistle OF
the large lumber mill at Bond, which
blew every morning, noon and
night. was used signal for Prince
Henry to receive his rations, Ear
nest being quick to respond. leaN-
ing other chores to care for them
selves.
How we'll Prince Henry enjoyed
and relished his attention, feed, etc,
was plainly seen and was noticed
by the entire population Of Bond,
when his owner would bring him
down TO the depot to weigh. Each
time he brought Prince to town, all
had to see him, and the free show
was the occasion of much talk and
gossip which spread to all quarters
of the county. County Agent Rey-
nolds remarked that a great portion
of his time was consumed in an
sweTing questions regarding Ear
nest Cornelius pig.
Prince Henry. starting on May 20
at IS pounds, added to his avoirdu-
pois so rapidly that at each weigh
ing for the first three months, an
average gain Of $40 pounds per
day was made. and at the close of
the contest, October 20. he had
grown from 46-lb. pig to 470-lb.
hog. making a daily gain Of 2 $40
pounds, or a total Of i2i pounds for
for the ISL days, at cost Of 1893
cents per pound. His daily menu
consisted Of ground corn, middlings,
tankage, buttermilk and grass pas
ture. He was kept clean and heal
thy, having before him at all times,
charcoal. wood ashes. salt and cop
peras: crude oil being used as a
disinfectant.
II was Christmas gift indeed to
this little mountain boy when he
was informed by County Agent Rey-
nolds, on Christmas eve that he had
defeated more than 1900 boys, and
was the winner OF the State Cha!-
lenge Cup. No sooner had he been
informed OF this than he began to
ask questions about the ownership
of the cup. When informed that he
would have to win again next year
in orded to hold it, he remarked:
THE mill will whistle at midnight
for me next year, and will do my
best to win"
This incident has created a stir
among the mountain people who
heretofore have taken no interest
lin fine and pure bred hogs. The
balanced ration" was a stranger
and the efforts of little Earnest Cor
nelius. also his results in feeding
Prince Henry 2nd Zone Of the first
pure bred hogs introduced in the
county, will forever be acknowledge
ed by these people as q great
achievement and q marker OF time
whence started the raising and feed
ing of pure bred hogs and the lower
L.. Il