368 Pork Production 



Assuming an average haul of 250 miles and seventy- 

 six hogs to the car, the total cost of marketing would be 

 $1.60 a head, or approximately 70 cents a hundredweight 

 for a 225-pound hog. 



Shipping hogs by motor truck. 



The use of the motor truck for hauling hogs is an 

 interesting recent development in marketing methods. 

 A large proportion of the receipts at the smaller markets 

 now come in by auto, covering distances often more than 

 100 miles. During the first six months of 1918, the num- 

 ber of hogs arriving at the larger Omaha market numbered 

 92,780, equivalent to eight carloads for each market day. 

 This was an increase of 180 per cent in the number 

 marketed by this method over the corresponding period 

 of 1917. 1 



MARKET CLASSES 



The daily run of hogs at any large market center, espe- 

 cially in midsummer, is made up of individuals of all 

 ages and weights, in all degrees of condition or finish, 

 feeders and fat hogs, stags, old sows, boars, and pigs, as 

 well as prime well-finished fat barrows. In handling such 

 a mixture, some system of classification and grading is 

 obviously necessary in order to facilitate trade and the 

 accurate reporting of market prices. It is highly desir- 

 able that the producer be acquainted with this classifica- 

 tion and the standard trade terms used in connection 

 with it. A correct interpretation of market reports is, 

 in fact, impossible without it. 



The following outline of market classes is given by 



1 Bur. Markets, U. S. Dept. Agr., News Letter, July 3, 1918. 



