480 DOMESTIC ANIMALS, DAIRYING, ETC. 



advantages for economical pork production, but it also has its disad- 

 vantages. The cheapness and abundance of corn in the corn belt 

 have often led farmers to use it as the exclusive grain feed. But 

 breeding stock so fed does not thrive so well and is not so prolific 

 as when given a varied ration, and when used for fattening an ex- 

 clusive corn diet is not generally profitable. The work of the agri- 

 cultural colleges and experiment station during recent years has 

 done much to show breeders and -feeders the undesirability of this 

 practice, and the increasing price of corn has forced farmers to econo- 

 mize in its use as much as possible. 



Any locality that will grow clover of any species, or that is favor- 

 able to the production of alfalfa, peas, or beans, or where grains are 

 readily grown not only corn, but barley, wheat, oats, or rye will 

 be a favorable situation for the successful production of pork. If 

 it is also a locality where dairying is common, no better advantages 

 are required; for, given leguminous pasture clover, alfalfa, peas, 

 beans, etc. as a basis, with a grain feed that can be readily grown, 

 and also dairy by-products, the very highest grade of pork can be 

 produced at a minimum cost. Variety of feed alone is an item of 

 immense importance in feeding. An animal tires of a constant ration 

 of one kind, and is more easily put off feed at such times than when 

 he is occasionally supplied with a change to keep his appetite keen. 

 Not only has variety of feed an influence on appetite, but it results 

 in a better quality of pork. 



The few States comprising the corn belt are the source of supply 

 for a great amount of the meat product, especially hams and bacon, 

 that is consumed in other portions of the country. Yet the advan- 

 tages of many of these corn-belt States are little, if at all, superior 

 to those outside of that district. The South has an abundance of 

 vegetation. Cowpeas, velvet beans, and peanuts are leguminous crops 

 that are peculiar to that section. Corn grows readily in all parts of 

 the South, and in the subtropical portions the experience of feeders 

 with cassava seems to indicate that it has considerable value for pork 

 production. In addition, there is generally an abundant water sup- 

 ply; the climate is mild, and there is a long period during which 

 green feed is available ; the expense of shelter and winter feeding is 

 very greatly lessened. These conditions, giving a long period of pas- 

 ture and outdoor life, enhance thrift, and with proper management 

 insure great freedom from disease. 



In the extreme West the alfalfa of the irrigated valleys and the 

 clover of the coast districts give a splendid foundation for successful 

 pork production. In most of these regions there is an abundance of 

 small grain, particularly barley, that may often be 'fed economically, 

 while in some localities corn is a successful crop. 



Barley is of so much interest and importance in the production of 

 prime pork that it demands more than a passing notice. This grain 

 has not been relied upon to any great extent in America as the princi- 

 pal part of a hog-fattening ration, but the practice of Danish farmers 

 and the results of experiments can very well be studied with profit 

 by American feeders. The Danish bacon, which figures so promi- 



