SWINE PRODUCTION* 309 



the suggestions for feeding and try to make them reach a weight of 250 

 to 300 pounds live weight at six or seven months of age. If possible 

 weigh them once a week. Perhaps they may be fattened at the end of the 

 period by hogging off a crop of corn and soybeans. Keep records of all 

 items of cost including feed, labor, rent for pasture, housing, etc. 

 Watch market prices for different weights and prepare to sell to best 

 advantage possible. Join cooperative shipping association if one is 

 formed and let it help in marketing. Get prices frequently from local 

 buyers. Calculate the total expense, the total income and the net pro- 

 fit or loss. 



10. Preparing pigs for show may be practised by members of the 

 class having swine of suitable ages in their home projects. Study 

 premium lists and select the best swine. Feed to condition them. 



11. Making pens and houses may be a part of the home projects. 

 Students should practise making things at school which will help them in 

 their home projects, pig creeps, troughs, self-feeders, mineral bins, 

 shipping crates, etc. 



12. Records of home projects should be kept by students. These 

 should be brought to school and used in the arithmetic cljass. Let them 

 be criticised by pupils and teacher and then used in problem work. 



Swine Debates. Discussions and debates may be held in class on 

 such points as the following: That it does not pay to keep pigs, intended 

 for market or for slaughter, beyond six or eight months of age. Pure 

 bred swine vs. scrub swine. Movable houses vs. stationary houses. 

 Pasture system vs. dry lot system of growing young swine. Two litters 

 a year vs. one litter a year. Fat type vs. bacon type. That lice and 

 worms do more harm than hog cholera for the American swine industry. 



Swine Contests. Students should contest and try to excell in 

 weights of maiket pigs at six months of age; in best daily gains with 

 pigs; in percentage of points in pig clubs; in greater profit with pigs; 

 in showing pigs at community fairs and other fairs; in judging swine at 

 fairs, sales, and on farms; in writing best project stories; in describing 

 the breeds of swine; in planning continuous pasture systems. 



References. Write to your congressman for several copies each 

 of the following U. S. Farmers' Bulletins on swine: 438, 614 780 781 

 834, 874, 951, 966, 985, 1018, 1085, 1186, 1229. Use these in assigning 

 topics, in project studies, and in reading classes. Ark. Sta. Bui. 2, Hand- 

 book; 45, 128, 142, Fattening; 181, Helps. Ark. Ext. Circ. 69, Houses; 

 101, 125; Pig Clubs; 189, Feeder Pigs. 



QUESTIONS 



1. Why is swine raising so popular in the corn belt? 



2. Compare the pasture method with the dry lot method of raising 

 swine. (Debate) 



3. Of what advantage is a movable pigpen to a village owner? 



4. What forms of waste may pigs use? 



5. What are the advantages of keeping good swine instead of 

 scrubs? 



6. Describe and contrast the two types of swine. 



