288 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTUEE. 



skleration the vast territory over which the porcine race is diffused, the value 

 of its products, the certainty and dispatch with which, by its aid, the great 

 corn fields of the west are profitably condensed and clieaply transported to 

 paying markets, you will not be surprised to see that it stands at the bead of 

 the live stock growing interests of the United States. 



In looking over our agricultural papers a person would naturally come to the 

 conclusion that the cattle department was the principal source of the meat 

 product of this country. And why? Because its advocates are continually- 

 bringing its claims before the public. 



What are the facts? The statistics of our great shipping, packing, and 

 exporting centers show that a large majority of values of all kinds of live 

 stock products comes from the hog. Therefore, in view of the great interests 

 involved in this question, it becomes us to look well to the ways and manner of 

 its continuance that it may go on as prosperously and as profitably as in the 

 past, and if possible make improvements that will render it still more profit- 

 able in the future. 



There arc many reasons why Michigan farmers should look into the merits- 

 of live-stock growing, some of which are the following, viz. : 



AVheat growing is subject to more insect enemies than when our lands were' 

 new. More labor and expense are necessary to fit our fields for good yields 

 than a few years ago, and the seasons seem to be more capricious than form- 

 erly, as we have witnessed more winter killing and blight; and again, the past 

 season, Michigan wheat growers have been subjected to more loss from the two 

 weeks almost constant rain immediately after and during wheat harvest than 

 they have ever lost from hog cholera. 



There is one more reason which I will name, and which we are all lookiug^ 

 to, and feeling most severely in our pockets. The lands of Minnesota and 

 Dakota which but a few years ago were considered as barren wastes, fit only 

 for the wild Indian anl buffalo, are now pouring their golden streams into our 

 markets at rates that we cannot compete with, and have any reasonable pay 

 for our labor. In other sections where wheat had failed from natural causes 

 the farmers have made changes in their management and productions, so that 

 where wheat raising was the principal business, now stock raising, dairying, 

 and wool growing have taken its place, and are paying the farmers better than 

 wheat raising ever did in its palmiest days, in proof of which I cite you to 

 northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, and the best portions of western 

 New York. 



There is no section of our country better adapted to a mixed husbandry than 

 southwestern Michigan. I would not recommend that hog raising be made the 

 exclusive stock product of any farm, but I am conBdent that it may be largely 

 increased on many farms and made to pay well. Where dairying is made a 

 permanent feature, there hogs work in to good advantage. 



If there are any persons here who are disposed to look ujDon the hog as an 

 unclean animal, and fit only for tiie abode of evil spirits, permit me to say to 

 such that you have but a faint idea of the perfection to wliich the modern 

 porker has arrived. The rapid growth, early maturity, the quiet disposition, 

 and I may say the civilization of the improved hog of the present day, have 

 made its rearing, feeding, and general management a very different kind of 

 business from that which was considered the right way a quarter to a half cen- 

 tury ago. Our farmers, especially those who are engaged in raising improved 

 stock, are learning that it does not pay to raise wild animals on the farm, and 



