4 A MANUAL ON THE HOG. 



accounts, and sum up the amounts paid for pork, bacon, 

 and lard, in the last twelve years, he will be convinced, 

 that in his case, at least, true economy points to raising 

 pork at home. 



It is a fact, known to every practical farmer, that pork 

 raised on the farm, while not without expense, is not only 

 better than that which is purchased, but the expense is of 

 such a nature, that it is not so seriously felt as when paid 

 for, either in cash, or, as is too often the case, purchased 

 on a credit at a ruinous rate of interest reported at 44 per 

 cent, in 1875. 



Besides, it can be very readily understood, that the 

 enormous sum which is now annually spent for pork (half 

 as much as the cotton crop brings), if retained in the 

 pockets of the farmers of Georgia, would not only bring 

 prosperity to the agricultural classes, but would give a new 

 impulse to every department of business in the State. 



The favor which the " Manual of Sheep Husbandry," is- 

 sued from this Department in 1875, has met at the hands 

 of the farmers and press of this State, as well as those of 

 other States, encourages the belief that a manual on the 

 much more important subject of the pork supply will be 

 not only acceptable but profitable to the people of Georgia. 

 If its publication results in a material increase in the amount, 

 of pork raised on the farms of Georgia, and thus reduces 

 the present ruinous outlay for that produced in other States, 

 its object will, in part at least, have been accomplished, and 

 one of the principal obstacles to agricultual prosperity in 

 Georgia will have been removed. 



MEANS ADOPTED FOR LEARNING THE REAL 

 STATUS OF HOG RAISING IN GEORGIA. 



In order to collect the facts relating to the practice of 

 pork-raising in Georgia, and at the same time to utilize the 

 practical experience ot the most advanced farmers, a series 

 of questions were propounded to several hundred farmers 

 in different sections of the State. 



