THIRD ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VI. 423 



breeding gilts daughters of sows known to prove large even litters 

 Young sows carefully selected from such litters are this season suckling 

 from nine to twelve pigs and show many of the excellent qualities pos- 

 sessed by their mothers. 



As soon as the pigs are old enough to follow the sows they are turned 

 into the clover field and from that day until they go to market the pigs 

 are kept in the pastures and fields and are fed such rations as promote 

 the greatest thrift and growth. The clover pasture is used until it be- 

 gins to fail in the fall. The pigs are then turned into the soy bean field 

 and when this in turn is exhausted the artichokes are available. This 

 series of forage crops together with the blue grass afford excellent feed 

 and pasturage the entire year. Pure air, pure water, plenty of exercise 

 and a balanced ration are thus provided. They will bring success to many 

 swine-raisers as they have to these Illinois breeders. There are no poorly- 

 ventilated hog houses, muddy feed lots and wet disease-breeding straw 

 stacks which serve as barriers to comfort and thrift. Doubtless this wise 

 system of handling the herd has contributed largely to its freedom from 

 disease. Cholera has broken out on the farm only three times in the 

 past fifteen years. In every instance the loss has been very light, on the 

 last occasion amounting to less than 1 per cent, although neighbors lost 

 over 50 per cent. Whenever there is any indication of sickness in the 

 herd corn is withheld and the hogs are fed on a scant laxative ration. 



These thoughtful, hard-working Illinois farmers find opportunity o 

 profitably employ their brains and hands on the small farm. They have 

 succeeded in helping to solve some of the knotty problems which are eve 

 before the farmer. Perchance this account of their system of maintain- 

 ing the fertility of the land through live stock farming will help some 

 earnest farmer to see more clearly the path which leads to success and 

 give him renewed strength to push on with hope and courage. 



WHY SHOULD FARMERS RAISE THOROUGHBRED POULTRY 

 INSTEAD OF SCRUBS. 



./. H Casey, M. D., Kansas City, Mo. 



From Monthly Bulletin of Missouri State Board of Agriculture. 



In considering the above subject, our reason must be actuated by vari- 

 ous motives which will form the basis of our arguments. In the begin- 

 ning of the twentieth century, when we look about us and notice the 

 rapid strides being made in every branch of trade, in art, in science of 

 all kinds, in the different professions, in all mechanical pursuits, in 

 agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, in the marts of trade, and in fact 

 in every calling that man is engaged in from which to gain a livelihood 

 and to provide him with the necessities and luxuries of life, there is one 

 goal which is the prime object of all efforts, and that is to accumulate 

 wealth; all have this in view, directly and indirectly. 



