162 



SOUTHERN PORK PRODUCTION 



pigs are thus largely offset by a slightly cheaper feed in 

 the fall and early winter, and by being able to get them 

 to market before the spring pigs at a time when hogs are 

 generally a little higher. One should lay special 

 emphasis on the supply of feeds for the late winter and 



Grazing lots make fall litters as profitable as spring farrowings 

 on the farm of Joe R. Martin in Georgia. 



Spring months, and by a proper system of feed supply 

 the fall pigs can be made just as profitable as spring pigs. 



Early castration best. — Many hog raisers let the pigs 

 get too old before castrating. The castrating should be 

 done at about five weeks of age, for the reason that the 

 hog is then easier to hold, loses but little blood, and seems 

 but little disturbed by the operation. This early castra- 

 tion also prevents miscellaneous breeding and breeding 

 too young. The details of the operation are given in the 

 next chapter. 



