THE PORK MAKINX INDUSTRY IX MAINE. 63 



for once let a fair appreciation of thejir value obtain and thou- 

 sands of tons would be grown where, now there is one. It is 

 safe to count on a yield of from twelve to sixteen tons per acre 

 and these can be grown close to two dollars per ton, so that, 

 in the study of hog economics, this palatable, nutritious and inex- 

 pensive article of food must in the future play an important 

 part in the making of the winter ration. If the hogs run on 

 dressing from grain-fed stock, they will need but little corn or 

 oats, if allowed a plentiful amount of turnips daily. 



The question is often asked about cooking food for hogs. 

 I do not believe that it pays, and neither in feeding turnips 

 would I bother to cut them. Looking for the lowest cost all 

 these items enter into the account and must be considered by 

 each individual grower from his own standpoint. As numbers 

 increase, the labor item will call for special attention, and while 

 no neglect can be possible without loss, the system of feeding and 

 variety of food will become of increasing importance. 



Here is an industry which may be of immense value to the 

 State of Maine if taken up thoroughly by our farmers and 

 pushed energetically. Statistics gathered at the great shipping 

 centers show that there has been a decrease of about 750,000 

 head packed the past season. More than this, the best authori- 

 ties declare that it is impossible for the corn belt hog crop to 

 ever again be displayed on a stockyard bargain counter. Each 

 year adds several millions to the army of pork eaters, a fact that 

 practically insures against possible over-production. Finding 

 the low level of three cents in cost of production, the grower 

 will not be disturbed by any fluctuations from present high 

 prices. No matter what the point of vision, there is certain 

 to be a wide margin for the man who selects and breeds with 

 care, maintains the health of his animals and puts on the market 

 choice pork made entirely from skim-milk, sound grain, rape, 

 clover, barley and peas as summer forage crops and roots and 

 vegetables for a winter ration. If the conditions allow no room 

 for neglect, they surely promise abundant compensation for 

 watchfulness, skill and businesslike attention to details. The 

 hog crop of Maine may well be increased along the lines herein 

 indicated, for there are good profits awaiting the man who 

 apples western methods* on his Elaine farm. 



