Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-12-04

and assigned a definite task, induced
few fathers in each county to endorse
the proposition. The boys carried on
their work with fervor and energy, and
in the fall when show time arrived, had
produced some exceedingly fine lusty
porkers which, when exhibited at the
county fairs and later at the state fairs,
held their own with the best which older
and more experienced breeders had been
able to produce, and so blazed the way
for the later accomplishments Of the
boys pig clubs.
While il would not be fair to credit
to this movement all that has been ac-
complished in the last few years in pork
production, 1t is not stating 1t too strong
to say that this rapidly rising genera
ton of young Georgians has exerted
very marvellous influence on swine hus-
bandry in Georgia. When the work
of the pig clubs started it was placed
on a pure-bred basis. This was consid-
cred to be impracticable by many, but
the wisdom Of the decision reached at
that time has now been amply justi-
fed because efIe grade of hogs in Geor-
gia has improved greatly, and there are
now thousands of pure-bred animals
in the state which would not have ex-
listed even at the present moment but
for the impetus which the swine raising
industry received through the agency of
the pig clubs. Georgia has made greater
progress in swine production in the last
few years than any other state in the
Union, and is credited this season with
an increase of per cent. L am reliably
informed that she is the only state in
which such an increase has been made.
of course, the advent of the boil weevil,
the establishment of the packing plant
at Moultrie, the general and extensive
use of peanuts and other grazing crops
for the production of pork, and the
widespread use of serum for the pre-
vention of hog cholera have all been
factors of primary Importance in &C
complishing the results obtained and
due recognition should be given to every
one of these agencies. Nevertheless,
leaders are the people who achieve re-
suits and especially leaders who will
take a position in opposition to the gen.
eral opinion of the public. The great
war in Europe has languished and fallen
down on every front where leaders have
been lacking, and 1t has only prospered
and in so far as our allies are concerned
where men OF outstanding quality and
capacity and of fearless purpose have
been at the helm of public affairs.
1t may seem to the average individual
that it is a simple thing for boy to
buy a pig and feed and handle him sue
cessfully through several months of
long, hot summer. In the first place,
II is often very difficult to get the faith
er's consent to buy a pig. and as he con-
trolls the purse strings the boy is fire.
quently helpless. After he has obtained
the pig, il is very hard to stand the
Jest and jibes, not only of father. but
of the neighboring boys and girls. The
little man, therefore, who becomes the
initial member of pig club in com
munity is something of a hero and
something of missionary as we'll If
he succeeds. he has the inherent quail
ties, Of leadership, self-discipline and
courage at his command. Georgia is
fortunate in having over 5000 boys as
well as some girls of this character, and
we hope next year that there will be
10000 Of them, making the biggest pig
club army enrolled in any state in the
union, and helping to lead the vanguard
of the fight for the production of a
sufficient amount of meat for our own
people and the lighting men in the
trenches abroad.
In this connection, a review of the
prizes won by the members of the pig
clubs at the various fairs throughout
the state may be of interest. They ex-
hibited pigs in twenty-four counties and
1T many of the principal fairs in Geor-
gia, such as the Southeastern fair In
Atlanta, and the state fair in Macon.
The total amount of money won as cash
premiums was S2.213. OF this amount
sS35.50 was won in the open ring which
shows that the boys made a very good
standing in the open competition with
all the breeders of swine in Georgia
md from other southern states as we'll.
There was s995.5O won in scholarships
and other prizes, making a total Of
ss.20S.50 WORT of premiums. Below
s given a list of the counties with the
amount of premiums won by the pig
club members in each: