220 KEPOET OF THE BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



more range, plenty of forest to roam in, were not crowded for the markets as they 

 are of late years. Farmers have become in too much of a hurry to fatten their hogs 

 for market. My observation has been when corn is plenty and hogs high more 

 cholera exists. I never had the cholera on my farm but once that was when my 

 corn crop was large and hogs a good price. I closed my hogs in a yard, hauled corn 

 to them by wagon loads, and that before they were accustomed to heavy feed; the 

 consequence was cholera. There is more danger in warm weather than in cold 

 weather of over feeding. Since, I have fed carefully in the start, and no cholera 

 has appeared. This year our corn crop is light, and there is no cholera worth men- 

 tioning. I don't think our fine-bred hogs are as hardy as the old Arkansas ' ' tooth- 

 pick " breed. 



LA PORTE. So-called hog cholera first became known in this county about twelve 

 years ago. Nothing is known as to its mode of introduction; but as it had been 

 raging in surrounding districts for some tune it would have been strange if we had 

 escaped. Up to that time hogs were comparatively healthy. Originally it seemed 

 to affect the improved herds principally, but now it is like taxes shows no par- 

 tiality to common stock. Everything savoring of contagion or an epidemic, 

 whether caused " by a dispensation of Providence," or absolute neglect of owner 

 and filthiness of surroundings, is called cholera. Those using good pastures, with 

 or without grain, with pure water and plenty of soot and wood ashes, are not very 

 apt to be troubled seriously with cholera among home-grown hogs. 



MADISON. I have made considerable inquiry in regard to the origin and date of 

 the first appearance of hog cholera, but testimony is so conflicting that I consider 

 the period very doubtful. It is generally conceded that it originated in filthy quar- 

 ters. Frequent changes of pens and feeding lots, with strict regard to cleanliness 

 and sanitary conditions such as pure water and varied diet are preventives. All 

 agree that before the advent of cholera hogs were not subject to any . contagious 

 disease. During the past season there has been but little if any cholera in the 

 county. Hogs are now healthy. 



MARSHALL. Hog cholera made its first appearance here in 18 C 6, and it has been 

 here ever since, alternating about every three years. It has raged badly in the 

 northern part of the county the past year, and is working southward. Some farmers 

 have lost as many as 60 head in a single week. 



MARTIN. Hog cholera made its appearance in this county about 1857. Its mode 

 of introduction is unknown. Hogs were generally healthy previous to that year. 



MIAMI. From personal knowledge of myself and correspondents, there has been 

 less of hog cholera during the past year than for years previous. As to the time or 

 origin of said disease in this county, we know not. Horses, cattle, and sheep are 

 remarkably healthy. 



MONTGOMERY. Hog cholera has prevailed here more or less for fifteen years. 

 The past two years it has been very fatal and widespread. I think 20 per cent of 

 the hogs of the county have died with this disease. Strict sanitary regulations rela- 

 tive to quarters, including bedding, food, and water, have much to do with the 

 health of hogs. In my experience (and I have fattened more hogs of my own rais- 

 ing than any man in this part of the county) I find variety of food, clean quarters, 

 and pure water indispensable to successful hog raising. I fattened 150 head in one 

 herd the past fall, and did not have a hog sick or refuse to eat. One of my corre- 

 spondents writes as follows: " The year of the introduction into this county of hog 

 cholera I do not know. I think the first cases of the disease were at Laughery 

 Creek, in Dearborn County, Ind., about 1852. From that point it has gradually 

 spread over the Northwest, and more or less all over the country. As to the health 

 of hogs before the cholera, I think it was so good generally that the thought of a 

 sick hog never came to mind. You might see a maimed hog, but a sick hog, never. 

 That is my recollection as to the health of hogs from 1838, when I came to the State, 

 until 1882, or after the cholera made its appearance." Mr. Breaks says the first ap- 

 pearance in this part of the county was about 1863. Sometimes a hog was lost by 

 thumps, and occasionally a hog had kidney \vorms. 



OHIO. Hog cholera first made its appearance in our county about the year 1855, 

 as near as we can fix the date. At that time a considerable number died on the 

 creeks. Up to that time hogs were healthy. At the present time there is no cholera, 

 or rather epidemic of it, among hogs in our county. At Aurora, Ind. , hog cholera 

 prevailed in 1851. 



ORANGE. We had no hog cholera in this county during the current year. 



PARKE. Cholera among hogs first appeared here about 1855. It seemed to have 

 been introduced by bringing into the neighborhood a small breed of Berkshire hogs. 

 Never heard of hog cholera until the introduction of this breed. The disease pre- 

 vailed here during the past year. 



PERRY. During the past year there has been no fatal prevailing disease among 

 the swine of this county. Some ten or eleven years ago we had among our hogs 



