American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-01-11
A GREAT Hec INDUSTRY.

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No Industry has made the average
farmer nor ready, clear and quick
money than the American hog. But
still this animal. commonly termed the
ariatocrat OF the b~arnyard, and the
only idler Of the ranch. IL very general
on the premises OF the average farmer
and yet Colorado has something like
two million swine, Perhaps tho prin-
cipal y for this is that the hog
II OF no practical benefit to a farmer
30 long as Il ~ alive. II ia unlike the
horse that has 10 work for its beard.
or the good old COW that must produce !
milk and cream and butter to pay for
her keep. and the hen hat lays eggs
for her privileges, and the sheep that
supplies us with wool from which our
garments are made. The hog adds
nothing directly material to the far
mer, and Is OF no real value 10 him
until he Is dead. He then supplies
many OF the wants OF the civilized
world, not only the hams. bacon and
lard necessary 10 the %ustenan OF
life, but also illuminating and lubri-
eating oils, combs, brushes and various
kinds OF ornaments. The packers now
utilize practically every element OF
the hog probably except the squeal,
aud that. too. Is being reproduced on
the photograph, statisticians have
estimated that a SOY having a litter
OF six at a time IN ten generations
will produce $500. 900 pigs. Nowhere
In Colorado are there such great ma
tural advantages and opportunities
for the development OF this. profitable
Industry than in the San Luis valley.
Here We have the ideal climatic con-
dltions, the cool summers. mild storm
less winters. abundance OF pure arte-
sian water OF the proper temperature
constantly flowing. and the home and
origin Of the greatest and cheapest
OF all pork-producing crops. the Next
can neld pea. The farmers had only
finished selling their potatoes whom
they saw pens dlled with pigs ready
Tor the pea fields. Hog raising Is I'M
doubtedly our most profitable une Of
farming. II costs. including the rent
OF the land. from So to IS an acre to
raise neld peas. and feeders estimate
that an acre OF good peas. when pas
tured off. will put Ave hundred pounds
of gain on. hogs. Alfalfa. peas and
barley. the three best adapted crops
for our valley. seem likewise TO be
the ideal combination for the hogs.
The hogs live in the fields all winter
long. requiring no shelter. only such
as Is furnished by the pea vines. The
deposits IN our banks have almost
doubled during the last two years.
Agriculture In all It's branches. cou-
pied with stock raising. Is our only
resource Therefore the farmer and
the stock raiser must have doubled
his wealth by a corresponding amount.
The bacon and ham OF the pea-fed
hog. or pea and barley-fed hog on
the san Luis valley. has long been
recognized as much superior in quality
and flavor to the cOrn-fed pig OF the
eastern aud central states, and has
always been In very great demand.
Train loads OF our san Luis valley
pigs have been shipped 10 San Fran
cisco and the western coast. and the
demand has always been greater than
We could supply, Not long ago the
following comments were made by the
president OF ono Of our largest western
packing industries; Without ques-
ton. Il We were In position 20 secure
pca-fed boss from the san Luis val
ley IN sufficient quantities 20 make a
specially on hams and hacons. they
would easily command a handsome
advance owe corn-icd porkers. This
industry Is rapidly making our valley
famous. The majority OF our farmers
are accommodating handsome bank ac-
Counts By raising hOgA