226 Twenty-First Biennial Bbpoet 



sold for immediate slaughter. The boys agreed to give 

 back two choice gilts from the first litter to the bank, 

 who will in turn put these gilts out to two other boys 

 under the same contract, thus not only giving us a chain 

 system of promoting the pure-bred industry, but at the 

 same time distributing but one breed in the county, 

 which we hope will ultimately result in community 

 breeding. 



The objects of the club are to stimulate an interest 

 in swine production, and to demonstrate how to raise 

 more, better and cheaper swine by the use of pure-bred 

 stock, balanced rations, and forage crops; and to in- 

 struct these boys in a practical way in the management, 

 feeding, sanitation, and prevention of diseases in swine; 

 to instill in them while you,ng the love of animals, which 

 will result in more and better hogs, becoming interested 

 in country life, and to learn the business side of farm- 

 ing. 



Small prizes are offered, and may be well given, but 

 every boy is urged to learn and to do all within his power 

 for the betterment of wrong conditions. The winning 

 of prizes is secondary, for that in itself is not of great 

 value, but the energy, learning and faithfulness neces- 

 sary to win the prize, is of immeasurable importance. 



The pig club work as it is being carried on in Ken- 

 tucky is but an example of what the Government and 

 State colleges are doing in thirteen other states. It is 

 a wonderful work, both for the making of future farm- 

 ers and the development of the swine indtistry. The 

 boys entering these contests are required to weigh the 

 pigs at the start of the work, keep careful records of 

 the w.eights of feed fed, monthly, gains the pigs make, 

 cost of gains and net profits. The educational value of 

 such work cannot be overestimated. It should have the 

 support of everyone, and it is to be hoped that some day 

 credit for suth work may be given in our rural schools. 



Otis Kibchek, 

 Agent in Animal Husbandry, TJ. S. Department of Agri- 

 culture. In charge of Kentucky Pig Clubs. 



