64 PROFITABLE STOCK RAISING 



so severe outbreaks of cholera and other swine 

 diseases as a couple of decades ago. 



That the supply of hogs is not keeping pace with 

 the demand is proved by the wonderfully high 

 prices paid for fat hogs during the winter of 1909- 

 10, when hogs at the central markets sold for 10 

 to ii cents on the hoof for weeks at a time. There 

 is no reason why the industry should not be im- 

 mensely profitable, even though the stock be raised 

 on $200 an acre land and fed 6o-cent corn. 



The keeping of hogs and of sheep both tend to 

 prevent waning fertility, because of the fact that 

 they thrive and fatten on leguminous crops, par- 

 ticularly the common clovers, alfalfa, cowpeas, soy 

 beans and in addition both are well fitted to con- 

 sume root crops such as turnips. All these crops 

 both add to the fertility of the soil and improve the 

 mechanical condition, so that while the hogs and 

 sheep are being fattened and fed, the productive 

 capacity of the land is being increased. 



As has been so frequently stated, one of the 

 most expensive plant foods necessary to maintain- 

 ing fertility is nitrogen. This can be secured by 

 the growing of clover and leguminous crops and if 

 large areas of these crops can be raised every year 

 on every Illinois farm, and if these crops are con- 

 sumed by some kind of live stock, the West will 

 never be compelled to make good a lost fertility, 

 as is being done in the East. 



FEED ANIMALS LIBERALLY 



The presence of large numbers of farm animals is 

 not, however, the only item that is necessary to 

 prevent waning fertility. These animals must be 

 liberally fed and the feeds, if the whole proposition 



