General View 9 



8. The labor-cost of producing pork is low. Excepting 

 beef cattle, no other farm animal requires so little labor 

 in proportion to the value of the animals handled. With 

 the more general use of forage crops in growing the pigs, 

 the wide use of the self-feeder for feeding pigs intended 

 for an early market, and the increasing popularity of the 

 practice of hogging-down corn, labor costs are materially 

 reduced. 



These facts have not been stated with the view of 

 minimizing the hog raiser's responsibility in the proper 

 care and management of his herd. It does not pay to 

 raise hogs if their feeding and care are not given intelligent 

 thought and consideration. Pigs cannot be raised suc- 

 cessfully if the sows at farrowing time are allowed to 

 shift for themselves. Clean dry quarters and balanced 

 rations are necessary if the growing shotes make either 

 rapid or economical gains. The money spent for a few 

 good brood sows is well invested only if they are given 

 the proper feeds, plenty of exercise, and sanitary quarters. 

 It does not require much time to start in the hog business, 

 provided the pigs are saved and properly developed ; but 

 if systematic measures are not adopted for the control 

 of lice, worms, plague, and cholera, the business will soon 

 become a failure. 



