454 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



manure piles, grovel in continuous dust and drink from stagnant pools 

 or ponds there is but one answer to the question, locations are hereditary 

 to disease. As long as man continues to house, feed, develop and fatten 

 300 hogs, pigs and brood sows in a thirty-acre field he will satisfy himself 

 that this exact location is hereditary to disease, but the wise bieeder 

 and feeder of hogs is not caught in this thirty-acre trap. 



I now wish to call your attention briefly to a matter which, in my 

 opinion, should receive your careful consideration, and that is the mis- 

 understanding that sometimes arises between you and your customers 

 as to the health of the animal you sell and ship. 



That you are sometimes imposed upon by dishonest men is doubtless 

 true, but that there is more often a combination of ignorance and care- 

 lessness on the part of your customers there can be but little doubt. 



There are doubtless men before me, who have shipped on order, a 

 hog in the most perfect health. In the course of a few weeks a letter is 

 received from the purchaser, saying the hog appeared to be all right 

 when he was received, but had since died of cholera. And he would expect 

 to have the animal replaced or receive his money back. While as a 

 n;atter of fact he was not justly entitled to either, as the animal was in 

 perfect healtn when shipped, the purchaser being responsible for his 

 death, largely through lack of experience and knowledge in administering 

 to his needs. 



Much misunderstanding and many bickerings may be avoided by 

 the exercise of care on your part in having the crates in which you ship 

 your animals thoroughly cleaned and carefully disinfected, and when 

 possible, similar precautions should be exercised regarding the car. In 

 your letter notifying purchaser of shipment, it would be well to suggest 

 that ine animal be kept on half ration for ten days or two weeks, or until 

 such time as its system becomes thoroughly harmonized to the change of 

 food, water and environment. 



Many young men are engaging yearly in this great enterprise, who 

 lack the knowledge and experience that has been acquired by the veterans 

 here assembled, and I would suggest to every breeder when he ships 

 an order that printed instructions be given to every purchaser, urging 

 the absolute necessity of thorough acclimation and conditioning the ani- 

 mal, and I believe by adopting this simple plan mutual confidence would 

 soon be firmly established between purchaser and seller, and the death 

 rate reduced to the minimum. 



Experience has taught me that it is wise to consult with and follow 

 the advice of the successful man. After you have done all this, however, 

 there is an experience in this field which every man must purchase, and 

 ofttimes pay the highest price. 



Where lice, mange, filth, worms and indigestion exist you will find 

 a "location hereditary to disease." Where ignorance, neglect and care- 

 lessness hold sway will be found another location which is hereditary 

 to disease. 



As this paper is addressed principally to breeders, I feel that a word 

 to the wise is sufficient. The industrious and intelligent breeder or 



