HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF SWINE. 327 



Another thing which is in favor of early and high feeding, is the 

 fact that buyers pay more per pound for shoats say eight to ten months 

 old, and this class of hogs is always in demand when old and "short- 

 fed " hogs can hardly be sold at any price. To the practice of growing 

 and selling the hog crop between tax dates defrauding Uncle Sam out 

 of his dues we cannot forbear calling attention. The plan may be of 

 doubtful propriety, but so long as taxes are rendered at a certain date 

 each year, the farmer can avoid taxes on his entire fat hog crop as 

 legitimately as can the banker by collecting all the greenbacks possible 

 to have on hand the first day of January. The sows are bred about the 

 middle to the last of September of each year, bringing their litters about 

 the middle to the last of January following, and the pigs are fattened 

 and sold at an age anywhere from eight to eleven months, and out of 

 the way before the next annual date for the rendition of taxes. It may 

 shock some of the literal upholders of law to know that many farmers 

 are actually doing this very thing, but such is the fact ; the hog is to the 

 farmer what the greenback is to the money lender, and who shall dispute 

 his equal right to use him in an equally legitimate way. 



While speaking of the proper food for hogs, we may notice some 

 very interesting experiments that have been carried on first by Pro- 

 fessor Sanborn, of Missouri, and afterward by Professor Henry, of Wis- 

 consin regarding the relative effects of "fat and carbhydrates as com- 

 pared with albuminoids in the production of flesh and fat in the body. Ac- 

 cording to these experiments, and they are certainly accurate, it is found 

 that a diet made up largely of protein (albuminoids) causes a very much 

 larger proportion of lean meat : while a diet composed mainly of the 

 starchy elements (carbhydrates) and fat, gives a very large proportion 

 of fat, which is scattered through the body in bunches. To sum up, in 

 the words of Professor Henry, the experiments show that when there is 

 an excessive proportion of carbhydrates in the food, or a corresponding 

 deficiency of protein : 



"1st. That there is an excessive development of fat not only on the outside of the 

 muscles and beneath the skin, but also among the muscles. 



"and. That the muscles of the body fail to develop to their normal size, especially 

 some of the most important ones, as those along the back. 



"3d. That an abnormally small amount of hair and thin skin results. 



"4th. That while the brain, heart and lungs do not seem to gain in weight, the 

 spleen, liver and kidneys are unusually small. 



" 5th. The amount of blood in the body is greatly reduced from the normal. 



"6th. The strength of the bones may be reduced one-half'" 



The practical value of these results to the farmer has been dis- 

 puted, but they certainly teach a very important scientific truth. The 

 farmer wants to know the exact ration that will give the greatest gain in 

 live weight be it muscle or fat in proportion to food consumed, al- 

 ways keeping the animal in healthy condition ; and it may be noted 



