CHAPTER XII. 



The Pork-Maker's Mainstay 



NOT DESIRABLE FOR ALL PURPOSES 



Indian corn is at once the dependence and the despair 

 of the pork maker. So easily and abundantly raised, 

 and in such convenient form for feeding-, especially in 

 cold weather, it has rightfully earned place as the prin- 

 cipal grain for fattening- all kinds of farm stock. Its 

 very richness and convenient form cause it to be used in 

 many cases without a proper understanding of its adap- 

 tability to the animal economy, and the result is naturally 

 shown in tendencies toward disease. In its great strength 

 lies its weakness in the hands of the man who does not 

 use this wonderful grain with a good knowledge of its 

 capabilities and limitations; yet, as a cheap fattening 

 food for all classes of farm stock, corn stands in America 

 without a peer. There is little doubt that with mature 

 animals more rapid gains can be obtained at less expense 

 from corn than from any other single cereal. The ease 

 with which it can be produced, its exceedingly high nu- 

 tritive value, its digestibility and palatability, give the 

 stockmen within the corn belt a long lead in almost every 

 branch of animal industry. 



Corn is the most palatable grain fed to live stock, 

 probably because of the luitlike pieces into which the 

 kernels break when chewed ; doubtless it is also better 



