Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-04-02

We're ready with few improvements
to expand their hog-groWing rapidly.
The economic causes of the rapid
increase Of hogs in Georgia are the
coming of the boil Weevil. the in
creased price of hogs, the appear
ance of the modern packing plant
in the southeast and the discovery OF
hog cholera serum. The boil weeVll
forced reduction in the acreage OF
cotton. particularly in lower south
Georgia Hogs were increasing in
price ut that time and were tried by
many on Il larger scale as subst-
tute crop. They proved successful
in producing good money return
and in saving labor and have been
continued. At the same time, the
soil was made more productive. The
coming of the packing plant brought
safe home market and the develop
ment of serum insured the farmer
against loss from hog cholera that
formerly could not be prevented.
The development of the hog in
dustry in Georgia in the future should
be the production of more high-grade
market hogs, particularly during the
late summer. early fall and spring
when the demand is good and the
prices high. The industry in south
Georgia Should receive more atten-
ton than it has in the past. With
little more care in managing and
feeding hogs the returns will be
greater than formerly, provided the
price of hogs is in proportion to
other things. The industry should
be extended in north Georgia, as
the boil weev1 causes reduction
in cotton acreage.
Hog production offers some very
attractive inducements. Men who
understand the practical side of the
industry find 1t more profitable than
any other phase of live stock bust
ness. Its chief advantages are:
l. Hogs reproduce very rapidly,
making from 1000 per cent to LOCO
per cent increase per year. This In
sures early returns on the invest
ment and rapid expansion 4of the
business if desired. Sheep under
increase of 100 to $50 per cent, and
cattle so to So per cent.
= Only a nominal amount OIL
money is required to enter the hoS-
raising business.
8. Hog raising calls for less labor
per acre than cotton. The labor IS
better distributed over the year ana
interferes with other crops less.
4. Leguminous grazing crops used
in hog production improve the SOIL.
5. Pork can be made with smaller
amount of feed than can beef or
mutton.
6. The hog yields higher dress
ing percentage than any other farm
animal, Fat hogs dress rs to 80 per
cent of their live weight; fat cattle
80 to 60 per cent and fat sheep 90
to 60 per cent.
On the other hand, hog production
has limiting factors, the main ones
of which are:
xJordan states that the pig re-
turns 1876 pounds of edible solids
for each 100 pounds of digestlble
matter consumed, while the calf'
lamb, steer and sheep reNlrn 81
pounds, 80 pounds, rs pounds and
80 pounds respectively for the same
amount.
heavy losses of hogs and infesta-
tons of parasites serious reduction
2. More equipment dots and
buildings for animals) is necessary
than in grain or cotton farming.
g. The market fluctuates widely,
some times causing hogs to sell at
a loss The average income from
hogs is not as large per acre as from
cotton.
4. Hogs are not designed to con-
sumo roughages.
. 5. George farmers. as a rule, are
not well posted on the systenatlc
care, feed and management of hogs
After considering the advantages
and limiting factors the man who Is
contemplating entering hog produc-
ton should next consider the I'M
portant matter of capital and labor
required to successfully carry on
this kind of undertaking on his
farm. -,
Starting on a farm having build
ings, lots and fences that can De
converted into use for hogs Will not
REQUIRE the outlay of labor and capt.
tai as a raw piece of land without
this equipment. Market hogs will
not REQUIRE as much time or money
as purebred breeding stock, nor do
they require as much skill. Eor
these reasons it is generally best for
all beginners to start producing them
using grade sows and purebred
registered boar. At present prices,
the following estimate should be.
sufficient for foundation ,'stock:N
fences and houses. If the sows and
boar are bought as pigs and grown
out, some money may be saved:
Ten good grade sows, at $4,000,
One good registered boar, at 500.
Eleven individual hog houses at
SIS, $165.
Fences, etc, 5000.
Labor for assembling above ma
terial, $3.50.
Total, 1895.
The amount Of money actually
needed to operate the business after
it Is established will vary with the