South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-05-19
BANKS ASKED To
ASSIST FARMS IN
PORK PRODUCTION
Organization of Pig Clubs in
Sundry States Calls for
Much Financial Aid.

WASHINGTON, D. c.. May IS
Since hogs afford the quickest means
of increasing our meat supply, con-
tinued and extended efforts of pub
lic-spirited bankers in furthering
the organization of pig clubs by ad-
vancing 10 club members the money
needed for the purchase of pure
bred SOW pigs is dOubly desirable at
this time.
Pig clubs have increased very
rapidly during the past seven years
the specialists point out. In 1910
! there were 50 members in the United
States; today the number exceeds
( 10000, found principally in Arkan-
sas, Alabama, California, North Car
DINA, Louisiana, Georgia, Texas,
Oregon, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Ken
lucky, Indiana and Massachusetts.
These states contained 21,673 mem
bers last year. but pig clubs are be-
ing formed rapidly in other states.
The demand for gifts and bred gifts
by club members is unprecedented.
even at the high prices at which
they are held.
Financial assistance to the pig club
members mas been the means of in
Producing purebread hogs in places
where otherwise this might have
I been impossible, and has helped to
build up the agriculture of the COM
munities which the banks serve.
These clubs stand not alone for
greater pork production. BY in
4 % 81
| they encourage the production of
much of the feed on the farm, and
as their activities are coincident with
/ or follow club work in the growing
of corn and forage crops. they are
part of a system that favors a sound
diversity in agriculture and rota-
ton of crops that will maintain the
fertility of the soil.
Two plans have been followed by
bankers in providing the sow pigs
necessary TO enable the boys and
girls to engage in pig club work.
One method is the so-called promis
sorry note plan. The banker makes
| individual contracts with the pig
! club members. In each he agrees
to lend them a certain sum of money
at six percent interest for one year.
or longer if necessary. The mem
Der agrees to keep up a member
ship in a pig club, to invest the loan
under the direction of the county
agent or county club representative,
and to repay it at maturity out of
the proceeds of the sale of the orig
nal stock or the increase. As Sc
(curity for the loan, the banker takes
the members prOmissory note. The
members parent consents to the
contract, in writing, and agrees not
to claim any right in the pigs pur-
chased or their proceeds.
The other method is called the
endless chain" plan. This also in
wolves individual contracts. The
banker agrees TO furnish a registered
SOW pig The boy or girl agrees to
join a local pig club. obey its rules,
care for the SOW according 10 in
structions, breed her at not less than
eight months of age to a registered
boar OF the same breed, raise the
litter according to the rules of the
club, ard deliver 10 the banker two
choice gifts (not less than eight
weeks old from the first litter. The
member agrees also to take out reg
istration papers for all the first lit
ter pigs not sold for immediate
slaughter. When these agreements
are met, the original sow and the
remaining pigs become the member
property. If the member is unable
to return two SOW pigs out Of the
first litter the agreement continues
until this is possible. If the original
SOW dies before narrowing a healthy
litter the banker bears the loss If
the member does not fulfil all agree
ments. rights 10 the SOW and her
progeny are forfeited. The parent
agrees to the contract, in writing,
and acknowledges that the SOW and
increase shall belong to the boy or
girl.
When the banker receives the two
SOW pigs from the member and puts
them out with other boys or girls
under the same agreement, the end
less chain feature Of the activities is
set in motion. This plan may be
varied in details 20 suit conditions.
For instance, the banker may require
the return OF only one SOW pig. and
stipulate that the boy or girl must
Join a corn or peanut club. raise at
least half an acre of green feed, and
exhibit the SOW and her offspring at
the county fair or live stock show.
! Under similar arrangements, boys
and girls have received eggs OF pure
bred chickens for Matching.
II is urged that bankers in the
south who have taken part in these
projects heretofore continue their
aid and others, both in the north
and in the south. take up the work,
as il IS a patriotic duty at this time
10 increase the nations supply OF
food. County agents. state agricul-
tural colleges. and the department
Of agriculture will answer gladly any
questions regarding details Of these
activities.