41 



In this test! the feeding for 31 days of com meal raised 

 the melting point of lard (previously softened by pea- 

 nuts) by only 3.8 degrees F.The feeding for the same time 

 of a mixture containing 25 per cent, of cotton seed meal 

 raised the melting point by 7.2 degrees F. The lard af- 

 forded by the cotton seed meal ration was firmer than 

 that from corn meal, the melting point of the former 

 (81.4 degrees F. ) being 3.4 higher. 



This last result, together with other experimients de- 

 scribed in previous pages, indicates that cotton seed 

 meal has an appreciable value for hardening the lard 

 and doubtless also the flesh of pigs raised on peanuts, 

 chufas, and most other softening foods. This will be 

 an important point in its favor when hog raising for 

 sale, as well as for home consumption, becomes an im- 

 portant industry in Alabanua ; for the buyer for a pack- 

 ing house will not knowingly buy hogs with soft flesh. 



There is every reason why those sections of Alabama 

 where peanuts thrive should at no distant date ship car- 

 loads of hogs to packing houses in Birmingham, Atlanta, 

 New Orleans, or other markets, provided the flesh can be 

 hardened. In many counties the sale of hogs and 

 of hog products could easily be made to bring in as 

 much money as the cotton crop. Cholera is not an in- 

 superable obstacle. Keeping hogs off the public range, 

 away from flowing streams of cholera-infected water, 

 an understanding of the nature and means of spreading 

 of this disease, and judicious feeding and care, will 

 greatlj^ reduce this danger. 



Hog raising requires little capital and brings its re- 

 turns quickly. Imlproved blood, food, care, and knowl- 



