No. 1] PORK MAKING. 145 



grain to be earned along steadily, and finally finished in short 

 order for the early market. For this finishing, corn and pumpkins, 

 grown alongside the paddocks, constitute the best and most economi- 

 cal food to be obtained, reducing cost of production and labor of 

 feeding to the lowest dollar, while insuring a quality of product 

 impossible to mature in close pens or with swill-fed animals. The 

 whole problem of profitable pig production hinges on one's ability 

 to minimize cost, both of labor and purchased grain, and, at the 

 same time, feed to insure steady growth. For this reason the grow- 

 ing of the finishing crops alongside the summer pasture must com- 

 mend itself to every business pig grower. The first step is to grow 

 a strong, bony frame, with abundance of flesh and muscle. This 

 insured, the cost of finishing may be reduced by restricting the 

 range, care being taken at all times to keep everything clean and 

 make certain a bountiful supply of fresh water. We not only want 

 fat, but it must be hardened for market. The inexpensiveness of 

 a crop of pumpkins, and their value in promoting growth, as well 

 as their general tonic eft'ect, make them an ideal food to combine 

 with corn. If the pumpkins and corn ai-e gi'own alongside the 

 pasture, the whole expense of handling and feeding is minimized, 

 the labor item being confined to cutting and throwing over the fence. 

 To turn the drove into this field might save laboi", but the loss from 

 corn and pumpkins tram])led upon and wasted would be heavy. 

 If by any other combination of rations the same rapid fattening 

 can be insured at less expense, then surely it should be followed, 

 the whole problem being to obtain most rapid growth towards the 

 market at the least expense. Two possible dangers to be avoided 

 are those of not feeding at regular hours or the attempt to save in 

 quantity. Either will prove suicidal. Instead, the effort should be 

 to so feed as to encourage the largest consumption consistent with 

 health. No arbitrary rules can be given, as much depends upon the 

 ej'e and hand of the feeder. 



There is good evidence in support of the claim that one has but to 

 establish himself in this industry, by some such plan as here out- 

 lined, freeing his stock entirely from the old-time methods of pigsty 

 or barn-cellar growing, and advertising a healthy product made only 

 on forage crops, in open pastures with home-grown gi-ain, in order 

 to insure a permanent market at advanced prices. The absolute 

 purity and cleanliness of the product, and freedom from all pos- 

 sible taint of impure suiToundings and stale swill feed, will attract 

 buyers. It will be understood here as everywhere that an abundance 

 of fresh water must be available at all times, and if possible it is 

 best to equip a field in close proximity to a brook or within easy 

 access to a water supply. In this way the labor item during the 

 growing season is practically eliminated. The best cure for disease 

 is prevention, and that will practically be insured by the plan here 



