FIFTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART III. 179 



be used for foundation stock and are not intended for the block, but in 

 either case it is my opinion that it will always pay to use some of the rich 

 nitrogenous foods in supplementary quantities, because in this way we seem 

 to derive much greater benefit from what corn we feed. 



I regret exceedingly that mill products have been so high this spring, 

 because this means that these products have been used in too sparing quan- 

 tities, although it is hoped that the abundant growth of legumes and grasses 

 will in part make up for the lack of these products. In spite of the fact that 

 our hogs are not worth so much per head as is the case in some of our sister 

 noncorn states, I still repeat, stick to the Iowa pig and feed him liberally 

 on Iowa corn. Keeping constantly in mind the cost of production, make 

 use of the nitrogenous by-products, especially in the case of growing pigs 

 in order that their constitutions may be fortified against disease attacks and 

 that the length of body, and especially the prolific powers, may be not only 

 maintained, but increased over what they are at present. 



As most of you are breeders of foundation stock you are carrying a heavy 

 responsibility, because it is to you the common farmer must look for 

 material to improve his grade herd. In the past harm has resulted from 

 men sending out inferior registered stock, and while there is a temptation to 

 always sell in the dearest market, yet men who are endeavoring to build up 

 for themselves a reputation adopt the practice of unsexing all animals that 

 do not come up to a certain standard. This from the standpoint of self- 

 interest seems to be the wisest policy in the end, while in the course of a 

 decade who can guess how much good the general adoption of such a plan 

 will confer upon the swine raisers of our State? Study the weaknesses that 

 are to be observed in the common hogs that are sent to market and endeavor 

 to build up the foundation material of a character to correct the defects 

 exhibited in these herds. 



The outlook is bright for the hog breeder who will take one breed and 

 stick to this through thick and thin and who will use well bred, meritorious 

 males from generation to generation. The ninety and nine are breeding 

 nothing but nondescript hogs, crossing and recrossing until there is no size 

 and but little vitality left, while the opportunity is afforded the hundredth 

 man to furnish these, not only with correct ideals, but also with correctly 

 formed hogs, and to all such the hog business in my estimation will be 

 profitable during the next decade. 



A general discussion of the subject which followed the read- 

 ing of this paper showed that among breeders, corn is looked 

 upon as a valuable hog food, but that its greatest merit is in the 

 final finishing for market. The two expressions given below, 

 from different men, will perhaps serve to present the drift of the 

 argument. One said: 



Corn should be used largely, but the less corn the better for breeding. 

 In feeding my breeding animals I use oats shorts largely, mixed wiih bran 

 and a very little corn, 1 have no milk to feed on the farm and as long as 

 they are getting milk from the dam I give them corn. After that I give 

 them oats with the hull taken off and partially reduced in bran and a very 

 little corn. This being in the corn belt corn must enter into the ration. 



