314 SWINE IN AMERICA 



Iiealthier than if huddled together indiscriminately to 

 spend their time in disturbance and turmoil. 



Except with special facilities and resources experience 

 has placed the maximum number for an average farm, 

 under present conditions, at from 75 to 125 hogs. For 

 the average farmer more than this number is more or 

 less a venture into the field of speculation. Many farm- 

 ers can, and do, raise more, but in such cases the practices 

 and methods are very far above the average. "We have 

 been raising hogs for 25 years," said Henry Wallace in 

 1906, "and have found our maximum of profit with 

 from 60 to 100 on the farm. Sometimes we have grown 

 from 135 to 150, and invariably found that, while con- 

 suming more corn and giving us more trouble, they gave 

 us no more profit that if we raised from 75 to 100. 

 Wlien prices are high farmers are tempted to go beyond 

 this number, and if they do not in\-ite the disease known 

 as 'cholera,' our observations are that something else 

 comes in and robs them of their profit." With the best 

 management it is found that not more than 40 head 

 should be confined to less than an acre of ground. 



IMPORTANT FEATURES 



Whatever the number of animals to be fattened, or 

 the season of the year, it is important that the inclosure 

 in which they are kept and fed should have good surface 

 drainage. If possible to secure it without danger of 

 bringing down disease germs from other premises, there 

 should be running water obtainable in such a way that 

 the feed lots may not become miry, and without necessity 



