218 SOUTHERN PORK PRODUCTION 



kets is that size averaging about 180 to 200 pounds. For 

 home slaughtering purposes this is also a very satisfac- 

 tory size. In the winter months a heavier weight may 

 be used to advantage, and in summer a lighter weight is 

 readily salable. 



The economy of early marketing. — The producer of 

 pork must continually bear in mind the advantages to be 

 derived from early marketing. The gains are made at a 

 greater expense as the hog grows older; the longer 

 one keeps a hog the longer he has to maintain him or 

 supply him with maintenance feed, that feed which makes 

 no gain, but which is necessary for the continuation of 

 the animal's life. Thus, in order to minimize this main- 

 tenance cost and to produce the gains at the lowest cost, 

 we should aim to place on maximum gains at the earliest 

 age possible, in order that the production may be the 

 most economical. 



Finishing for market. — While the growth process had 

 best not be allowed to slacken from the time it is started 

 until the hogs are marketed, it is often not advisable to 

 try to make the maximum fat production from the start. 

 It is easily possible to arrange for ample fattening feeds 

 to come on in the summer and fall of the year. A few 

 of these are of such a nature that they will keep over 

 through early spring, but there is a decided dearth of 

 fattening feeds from the time spring opens up until mid- 

 summer, or until the early cowpeas or corn come on. 

 Of course one can feed corn or other concentrates during 

 that season when fattening feeds are scarce, but so far 

 as practical the fattening should be done in the fields with 

 a minimum of lot feeding. Crops suitable to finish hogs 



