lO SWINE IN AMERICA 



during the last 24. years, as tabulated by the Price Cur- 

 rent. The lowest cost was reached in 1896-97, estimated 

 at $3.30 per 100 pounds. The liigliest cost yet recorded 

 was that in 1902-03, when it reached $6.81 per 100 

 pounds. Figures for each year from 1883-84 to 1907-08 

 are given in the Appendix. 



EXPANSION OF THE SWINE AND CORN-GROWING 

 INDUSTRY 



Tiiat the swine interest has been one of steady and 

 constant expansion, and has followed and been con- 

 temporaneous with the expansion of the American corn- 

 field is well attested by official statistics. These show 

 that 40 years ago there were 24,693,000 hogs in the 

 United States, and the corn crop was 768,320,000 

 bushels, and that in four decades since the hogs have in- 

 creased (127 per cent) to 56,084,000 head, and the corn 

 yield to 2,592,320,000 bushels. 



IMPROVEIVIENTS MADE AND THE ROOM FOR OTHERS 



It is probable that but a very moderate per cent of all 

 the swine raised for pork are pure-breds, or of a single 

 breed. .\ majority are black, with slight markings of 

 white, mostly confined to the feet, face and tip of tail, and 

 in that respect more like the Berkshires than any other 

 breed. A percentage of these are Poland-Chinas and 

 Berkshires, but a largely preponderating number are a 

 mixture of these two breeds. Spotted black and white 

 hogs are extremely rare, wliicli indicates that the direct 

 crossing of black breeds with wliite is practiced but little; 



