146 SOUTHERN PORK PRODUCTION 



A simple mixture for preventing worms and condi- 

 tioning swine that may be easily made up at home is 

 that recommended by Dr. Carey of the Alabama Station. 

 This mixture is made up of : 



Pulverized charcoal 10 pounds 



Air-slaked lime 10 parts 



Hardwood ashes 10 pounds 



Common salt 5 pounds 



Pulverized sulphate of iron 1 pound 



Sulphur 5 pounds 



This should be mixed thoroughly and placed in a dry 

 place, preferably in a self-feeder, so that the hogs can go 

 to it at will. This mixture has met with considerable 

 success in keeping down worm infestations and keeping 

 the hogs in a healthy condition. 



Hardening of fat. — In the making of pork on certain 

 feeds, notably in the case of peanuts, we are apt to have 

 a fat that is too soft and oily. Frequently such pork is 

 discriminated against on the market, and it is up to the 

 grower to either harden the fat in some way or to sell at 

 a sacrifice. This hardening process is generally accom- 

 plished by feeding corn or corn and cottonseed meal in 

 connection with the peanuts for a short time before 

 placing on the market. Since corn cannot always be 

 obtained as cheaply as some other feeds, we should look 

 for other possible remedies for the condition. Above all, 

 the degree to which the hog is fattened is an important 

 factor. The greater the quantity of fat that is placed on 

 the hog the softer it becomes. We should, therefore, be 

 very careful not to fatten our pork too much, and es- 

 pecially the fattening should not be carried beyond that 

 point where fattening no longer pays. According to 

 some experimental work that has been done, we know 



