CHAPTER I. 

 THE PLACE OF THE HOG UPON THE FARM. 



THE swine industry occupies a rather peculiar position in 

 many localities. Swine multiply rapidly and come into use 

 for breeding at an earlier age than other farm animals; con- 

 sequently, it takes only a short time for farmers to increase 

 or decrease their stock, as the case may be. 



The Hog Supply. When, owing to scarcity in the supply 

 of hogs, the price for hogs goes up, we find farmers increasing 

 the number of breeding sows, and in a very short time the 

 supply of hogs coming to market increases to 'such an extent 

 that the price is likely to break. If the decrease in price is 

 very severe, the farmer becomes disgusted, and the chances 

 are that many farmers will sell their breeding sows and prac- 

 tically go out of the business. This unloading process adds 

 to the burden of the market, and general demoralization is 

 apt to follow. By and by, after the market has absorbed the 

 excessive supplies thrown upon it, a scarcity occurs again, 

 owing to so many having gone out of the business of hog 

 raising, and prices once more reach a high level. This is a 

 signal for farmers to rush again into hog raising, and overstock 

 their farms in many cases, so that once more the market 

 becomes top-heavy, and the history of the hog market repeats 

 itself. 



Now, it is altogether probable that very few of those who 

 were tempted to rush into the business on account of high 

 prices obtained any profit from the venture. They paid high 

 prices for breeding stock, but by the time they had hogs ready 

 for the market, the decline in prices began, and before they 

 were through they were selling their hogs at a loss. 



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