The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-03-15
OPPORTUNITIES LEARN
Profits and Consequently Like the Business-Then
Specialists

May Become
The beneficial effects of pig clubs
on the improvement of swine in the
United States will be due in large mea-
sure to the knowledge of breeding
principles that members receive in
early life. Progress in animal breed
ing is limited necessarily by the fac
tor of time, and those who early be-
come interested in the work have the
best opportunity to reap the full fruits
of their efforts.
In calling attention to these and
other merits Of the pig-club work, en-
couraged by the United States depart
ment of agriculture E. T. Russell,
specialist in swine husbandry, clearly
points out the difference between the
constructive livestock breeder and
the so-called breeder who really is
livestock Spectator. The comparl-
son is of general interest.
I'm the hog business, for instance,
the name breeder" Mr. Russell ex-
plains, ''is applied commonly to any !
one who has pure-bred swine for sale. I
A large proportion of the men now en- |
gagged in this business, however, had |
better be termed Spectators, for to |
a greater or lesser extent they are en-
gagged in buying and selling breeding
animals. Sometimes they keep the
animals-whch include both sexes
to produce litters and offer them for
sale, but more often they simply buy
and sell.
Close Students of Breeding
I'VE have a limited number, how.
ever, of those who may be termed
constructive breeders Persons be-
longing to that class have in mind a
type of hog which as breeders they
are trying to produce, and they study
rot only the animal itself, but it's an
cestors In brief, constructive breed
ers are close students of individuality
and pedigree. A number of so-called
breeders of today commenced their
hog-breeding activities late in life and
did not have the time to take up the
business in the way it should be stu
died from a breeders standpoint. Con-
sequently, if their activities are ex-
tensive, they are likely to be specula-
tors rather than breeders. Many, how
ever, are in speculative lines because
of the lack of knowledge of fundamen-
tai ideas and principles of breeding
This information is readily obtainabIe
from the department and from many
other sources"
Indefinite, careless methods in all
farming lines, according to Mr.. Rus
sell, are iniuring those who use such
methods. On the other hand, the man
who meets with the most success In
the future will be the one who stu
dies from every angle the problems
concerning his particular field of work.
A New Industry in Old Localities
In some parts of the United States
hog breeding is still in it's infancy, and
it is noteworthy that many of these
localities are even in the oldest settled
states. Farmers in those localities in
the past apparently have paid very
little attention to livestock growing Of
any kind. On other localities, espe- |
cially during the last two or three |
years, owing to the increased price for !
grains, live stock on the farm has been |
reduced materially. Yet every year |
demonstrates more fully that success |
full agriculture can be accomplished /
only by having a certain number of |
live stock on the farm.
Recognizing these facts, the Depart
ment of Agriculture has given assist
ance to the farmers In as many ways |
as possible. One of the most prac-
tical means of establishing live stock
production on firm foundation is the
encouragement of boys and girls pig
clubs. Members of these clubs have
the opportunity to obtain expert know
ledge and advice in selecting and
growing their pigs. To attain success
in any line person must like his
work. and it is human to like work
that is profitable Boys and girls who
join these pig clubs and follow in
structions given them nearly alwaysl
&c he |
consequently they like the business. |
In fact, records show that large per-
centage of the boys and girls, who
started in the work by feeding a single
pig fed SOW and litter the second or
third year. Later many of them be-
came specialists in hog work
Success From Small Achievements.
Although the total hog production
in the United States is large. it has be-
come so not by doing big things in
big way, but rather by doing a lot of
little details when they should be
done. Club members are doing these
many little details and, being young,
and willing to learn, gen.
orally succeed. Men and women who
start later in life to acquire knowl-
edge OF the hog business often fail,
because they feel that many of the
little things are unnecessary. mex
perienced feeders. by lack of knowl-
edge, can very easily cause the death
Of litter of pigs.
1t is gratifying to the department of
agriculture that in many of the locali-
ties throughout the United States
where he business Of hog growing has
been seriously neglected large num-
Ders of boys and girls are now join
np nj p1uhc nd bo rt,,, a., !
confident that in years to come those
boys and girls will help materially to
Increase the wealth of various states
because early in life they learned how
o select and care for pig.