152 Pork Production 



permanent hog-lots should be plowed up frequently and 

 sown to crops. Not only will these lots be made to yield 

 food, but the complete aeration of the soil and the action 

 of the direct rays of the sun will insure the death of 

 parasites and disease germs more efPectively and at less 

 cost than can be accomplished by any other known 

 method. Pigs on forage . crops in contact with clean 

 earth are more thrifty and vigorous than those confined 

 to dry lots. The fundamental reason why pigs fed on 

 forage display such capacity for rapid gains is because 

 of this thrift. A condition of thrift in the growing market 

 pig is also essential for the production of the best quality 

 of pork, especially firm bacon. Without thrift, the pigs 

 intended for the breeding herd are lacking the first essential 

 for successful performance. The use of forage crops 

 insures the conditions which encourage the development 

 of vigor and constitution and eliminates many of the 

 conditions responsible for unthriftiness and disease. 



