Grainger County news. (Rutledge, Tenn.) 1917-current, 1921-01-05
HOG SHOULD HAVE
PLACE On FARM

lowing article written by Mr.. Rich
ardson should be read by every far
mer in Tennessee. AS we survey the
history of the swine industry during
the past four years, we find that
many sections began using hogs
which prior to that time considered
it an Improbable business. Of
course the prime stimulus was 90
cent hogs. This caused the farmer
to increase the number of brood
sows and give the business of hog
production more of his time and
careful attention. He bent his en-
ergies in the direction of raising
grains that he might market it in
the form of pork to an advantage.
Also, within the past twelve
months the price intoxication came
to an end. With the close of the
war the expectation of pork began
to decrease, and foreign credit grew
from bad to worse. Phe tremendous
supply of cured meat which the gov
eminent had on hand had to be dis
posed of. This in turn offered to the
American public at reduction. The
packers had a considerable quantity
of meat in their coolers. They were
unable to find ready outlet for
this because of depressed money con-
ditions. The Argentina, New Zea-
land. and Australian governments
had quantities of meat on hand
which had been accommodating for the
past two years. Last but not least
corn scared in price. Thus, an ac-
emulation of conditions and circum-
stances had downward influence on
the hog market. In the meantime
hundreds of feeders had filled their
feed lot with thousands of hogs
bought at good margin. Conse-
quently, after the years of plenty
there came lean years in hog prices.
ut name a business or an industry
which has not suffered like exper-
fence. Yet suppose upon the wake Of
financial Designating this was I'M
iversally true with the hog farmer
the bushes sinstitutions of the
country had sought to liquidate as
the hog farmer has done. Certain
ly the business and industrial insti-
tutions of the country would be con-
tinually experiencing turmoil and
chaos. They would lack stability,
credit, and everything that leads to
industrial development and progress.
Let us recall the old and often re-
peated adage: "that where a man
loses his pocket book, there he will
find it quickest where he lost it."
This is as true of swine production
as other lines of idnustry. The
farmer who has learned something
about growing hogs will regain his
oss sooner by the knowledge and ex-
perience he has already acquired
than by changing to something new.
Let us not discredit that faithful
old brood SOW because of conditions
over which no one has control. She
has been in the past, and will be in
the future, the foundation upon
which the farmers have prospered.
She has proven in years past a stable
quantity in American agriculture by
which farmers have and can make
money. In the South hog farming
should be permanently woven into
the warp of our agriculture. 1t is
hardly creditable to believe that so
per cent of the brood sows have
found their way to the market in
the past twelve months. In addition
to this the young gifts selected with
some care and attention for breed
ing purposes have been sent to the
shambles. Few industries could en-
dure such a tremendous slump and
ever stage comeback. A small
proportion of the Southern farmers
have ever made the growing of hogs
their MOTOR farm operation. At least
80 per cent of those who ever kept
brood sow or fed hogs made the
business a by product of the farm.
The growing of hogs has always
been side issue with farm devoted
to grain. cotton, tobacco, potatoes,
or some other kind of livestock.
There would be more hogs fed in the
South this year were they to be had
In the opinion of our experienced
hog feeders, were the feed lots full
of hogs this year ready market
would be furnished for the big corn
crop. Corn is selling in many local
tiles from rs to 90 cents per bushel.
To market this in the form Of pork,
even at prevailing prices, would GER
tainly afford margin.
During the past three months in
nuiries have come to this office
through organizations in northern
states for 10000 head of feeder hogs
The demand has not been met,
although we have endeavored to
place some of the orders. In fact,
there has not been sufficient num-
bers of feeder hogs to supply the re-
ouirements of the Tennessee feeder.
This condition can be corrected and
should be. Just when the time is
ripe to make a little money feeding
hogs, the hogs cannot be found. The
South is in a position to supply the
feeder and stocker market of this
section and supply other sections
where there IS demand. The cut Of
30 rer cent in the breeding herds has
rendered an under production.
No section offers greater op-
rortrnitv for pork production than
the South Climatic conditions are
most ideal 1.-THE land is well adapted