Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-07-22
PEP. PATRIOTISM AND PORK

When the United States government
asked for IN increased pork produc-
ton Of - per cent over the number OF
hogs produced in 1917. the hog people
OF the United States were asked to
produce in round numbers 10000. 600
more hogs.
While i, is still impossible. says the
Farmers Home Journal to tell
whether we will make the necessary
increases. information at hand indi-
Gates that we Will practically coed.
The report of the Bureau of Crop
Estimates. issued April i, shows that
or thci date there was an increase in
the number of bred SowS over the
United States OF e.5 per cent. We have
had very favorable weather conditions
in March and April over practically
all OF the hog producing States with
the result that there has been 4 larger
percentage Of pigs raised to the num-
Der narrowed, than for many years
Every one familiar with the market
reiShts o! hogs knows that the aver
age weight has been materially in
creased Taking all these facts into
cons!dcra ton, il seems reasonable
that the desired increase will be made
In looking over what some OF the
other countries outside Of the United
states have done IN the way of per
cent OF numbers produced some very
Interesting figures are found.
In France. from 1913 10 1917, there
was decrease Of 400 per cent
In Denmark. from 1914 TO 1917 a
decrease of 33.9 per cent
In Brazil. from 1913 10 1916, de-
crease OF IS per cent
In Canada. from 1911 to 1917. de-
crease Of 3o.4 per cent.
In the Netherlands, from 1918 t.
1917, q decrease of l2.2 per cent
In New Zealand, from 1911 to 1917.
decrease of 800 per cent
In Norway. from 1914 10 1915, de-
crease of per cent.
In the United Kingdom. from 1914
20 1917, decrease of 23.9 per cent,
II Will be seen that the average de-
crease IN these different countries runs
from 90 10 40 per cent. excepting only
NORWAY and Brazil. and the number OF
hogs produced in Norway is small in
deed, being 22l.o06 in 1916. Brazil be-
ing the only country named producing
quite a number OF hogs. some 1900
900 or 100000. showing Il small de-
crease.
The best figures obtainub!e show
that the average number of pounds.
annum in the United States from
1910 10 1917 inclusive, is 95.2. In 1917
this consumption was 81 C. and in 1916.
lV5.'. These figures include about IL
per cent of edible parts not contained
in the dressed weight. The parts are
capita consumption. 1t will thus be
seen that the consumption OF pork per
capita IN the United States during the
past year was around Il per cent
lower in 1917 than the average during
the past eight years. and about "a per
cent lower in 1917 than in 1916. TAX
ing these facts into consideration aud
the decreased number OF hogs pro-
duced by our allied countries and tho
neutrals. the necessity of increased
production IS apparent.
The statement has been made over
and over again, and there can be no
question in our mind but that it is
absolutely true, that food will be one
Of the most important factors in win
ming the war. Further. there can be
no question at all but that hog
produce is one of the most important
he produced Hog products are used
in two very necessary ways in carrying
on the war. That Of food for the sol
diers, and fats used in making eXplo-
sivcS. Hog meat can be cured and
shipped anywhere around the world and
KEEP; for an indefinite time. The meats
from any other Of the mcat-producing
animals cannot be treated i'm this
manner. hence the great necessity for
hog meats in feeding the armies. In
our opinion. there is great necessity
for the increase Of the number OF hogs
throughout a great many parts of the
United States, and the reason is the
dollar and cent net income to the
farmer. In considering this net in
come. we are not speaking entirely Of
the amount derived from the hog bust
ness in the maintaining and building vi
OF soil fertility that is far too often
| not taken into consideration at all
when figuring over the results Of hog
| raising
! Incren.e Next Yenr'a Seed supply.