The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-01-09

In cooperation with the farmers of the country, who are seeking to increase the production of hogs by about 50O00,000 this year over the 10 year average, the Metropolitan Life Insurance company has already taken active steps and has received pledges from a group of farmers that will increase this vital crop by about 75,OO0 in the spring of 1943. Urder the same cooperative plan 1t is expected that an additional 35,OO0 to 4O,000 extra hogs will be produced from fall filters, farrowedsin Au3ust and September, while 75,000 to 100,- GOO additional hogs will be raised in the year l944. This means that from the extra hogs raised in 1943 more than 28,000 900 pounds of pork will be produced; some of which will be marketed in the spring of 1944. This pork will be used to supplement the food of civilians and members of the armed forces, while great amount of much needed fats will be supplied for munitions needs.
 Estimated Increases
 The above figures are 'stimated in- creases over production in 1942. The total hog production on these farms will number 225, 900 hogs, or about 56OOO,OO0 pounds of pork. This is sufficient to furnish the inhabitants of city of almost half a million for a full year with pork, If a limit of two and one half pounds 8 week Is placed on each person.
 The group of farmers cooperating with the Metropolitan in this plan number approximately 5000 and its members are tenant farmers on farms the Metropolitan owns while seeking to dispose of them to desir- able owners. They are scattered in the state of Iowa, Missouri, Nebras- ka, South Dakota, Minnesota and Kansas.
 The Metropolitan plan is under the direction of Glenn E. Rogers, third vice-president of the Metro politan; in charge of the company's Farm Loan division. It was con- ceived by MT. Rogers as the cora- pany's answer to the call made by Claude R. Wickard, secretary of the United States Department of Agri- culture, to increase hog production to 12l O00, 900 hogs in 1943. or about 50.0O00O0 above the annual average of 72,000, 900 for the past 10 years. It meets with the hearty approval of Leroy A. Lincoln, president of the Metropolitan.
 Basically, the plan is simple one. As Mir. Rogers explains it. the Met ropolitan, seeking to serve the cour- try in wartime as well as 1t has in peace time, offers to help farmers, with whom they have close contact, secure as much of the necessary sup plies needed for the work as are available; advance funds, if asked, to these farmers to carry on the work; and to cooperate actively through its organization in bringing the plan to success. The insurance company does not expect to profit financially from the plan but does expect to break even on its expenses in this vast project.
 Farmers Cooperative
 When Secretary Wickard'S call went out to the farmers for in- creased production of hogs, MT. Rogers visualized the plan through which his company could become an important factor in this war meas ure. He prepared letter and sent it to this selected group of farmers on December 1, 1942. Answers to this. letter were received from more than 2O0O of these 5000 farmers and more are coming in every mail. These replies, without exception, are favorable and the farmers pledge themselves to increase their produc- ton of hogs in l943 by an average of more than 35 per cent above 1942.
 Attached to the letter was a let ter sized page containing eight ques- tions. Seven of these questions could be answered with simple figures or by yess or no. The answer to the eighth question could be as long, or as short, as the writer wished to make it. This final question dealt with the needs of the farmer to bring his production of hogs to higher figure. '"It has been interesting and signi- ficart to read the replies to my let ter" said Mir. Rogers. "The farmer does not complain. He is an integral part of the country and he is willing to bear his full burden in winning this war. All that he asks for is the opportunity to get the supplies he needs and he will do the finest kind of job.
 Strangely enough. In the replies already received there have been few requests for financial help. The farmer would like to have more la- Dor on the farm. but in setting his production goal he himself is willing to take on the major part of the drudgery. His main requests are proper facilities for housing. wire fencing, hog watering devices. spe- cial supplemental protein feeds, and 1uficieut medicine and sanitary con- trols SO that disease win not make his work and efforts count for noth' ing.
 Equipment Needed
 "One Iowa farmer stated bis needs and the needs of the farmer In general --ccncreteIy. He wrote: For l,,n,,naraa ,,rlarl,netf0t, RVarv nrOdllCer