302 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



pens and put in an extra amount of bedding and thereby make it an 

 inducement for them to sleep there. If they are obstinate about it, 

 feed them there and shut them in untfl they will go voluntarily and 

 a lot of trouble will be avoided and we will escape at least one of the 

 many charges wrongfully preferred. 



We do not wish' to throw anyone into hysterics, but will make the 

 statement that corn is one of the most, if not the most, palatable, and 

 when mixed with a little good common sense, the most healthful of 

 any one grain for the hog. 



iVlany people have a theory that health and drugs are inseparable or 

 at least have a sort of affinity; a theory as groundless as ridiculous. 

 It is a demonstrated fact that the person who uses the least drugs 

 enjoys the best health, and this is equally applicable to the hog. 



There are several things in this connection we should remember. 

 First, a healthy hog needs no medicine; next, when he is sick or off 

 feed it is not what we put in his stomach that counts but what we 

 keep out of it. Give him a good dose of starvation and let the stom- 

 ach evacuate, thereby giving nature a much better chance to get in 

 her work, which is to build up. 



Health is natural, disease unnatural; the former is contagious as 

 well as the latter. In the fight between the two if we will give nature 

 a little solid encouragement she can in most cases be depended upon 

 to come off victorious. 



We do not care to go on record as saying, give no medicine under 

 any circumstances, but we do protest against its indiscriminate use 

 and ate strong in the belief more injury results than benefit. And we 

 also believe if the money spent each year for drugs, stock foods and 

 sure cures generally, were employed in the construction of more com- 

 fortable buildings, better pastures or a more sanitary water supply 

 the general health level would be higher and our farms present a 

 better appearance. 



As we have already said, we would leave feeds out at this time 

 but in conclusion will say a word as to the manner of feeding, which 

 should be with regularity and if there is a clean place on the farm 

 use it if possible. The mud is not a good feeding place, dust is worse; 

 both should be avoided as far as possible. Any changes to be made 

 whether is quantity or kind should be gradual with an eye open for 

 results. 



Alter all it is no more our mission to keep our hogs healthy than 

 to allow them to keep themselves so; consequently we should keep 

 them close company, study their habits and requirements, then cater 

 to them. Couple with this humane treatment and we will in the main 

 have health on the hog farm. 



In answer to some (juestions from Ihc lireeders as to how he 



used tlie Vuv.e and carl)ohc acid Mr. Hoffman said: 



"I use the air slacked lime when it is wet. The lime has a t:'ndency to 

 dry out the hog house. When it is dry I use carbolic acid. I never have 



