SWTNE MAXAGEMKNT. 



7 



Fig. 3.— Swine can be raised on farms that are somewhat rolling. (Photograph by courtesy of District 

 of Columbia Workhouse Farm, Occoquan, Va.) 



An ideal location is on a well-draiiied farm possessing a ricli soil 

 that will produce grasses and other forage as well as the grains needed 

 for fattening the hogs. This does not mean, however, that only 

 those farmers holding rich, level lands should raiso hogs, for as a 

 matter of fact hogs are most easily handled on farms that are some- 

 what rollmg. For the production of forage crops the rollmg farm is 

 often as good as the level one, and it often has the added advantage 

 of shade and a better water supply. The hill farmer does not have 

 the best situation ni all thmgs, but in many instances he has certain 

 advantages which he does not appreciate. 



It is an advantage to locate in a hog-raising community. There 

 are many small problems in management which can not be touched 

 upon in a general discussion of hog raising, but they may be learned 

 through actual experience in one's own community. Li such cases 

 the older breeders have for a long time been in contact with local 

 conditions, and a new man may profit by their experiences without 

 spending several years acquiring one of his own. Then, too, if a 

 whole community will raise a certain grade or breed of hog, it can 

 obtain a reputation for its product as a community such as an indi- 

 vidual never could hope to win. When the buyers learn that a type 

 or breed of hog which they desire is to be obtamed in unlimited 

 numbers in a certain locality, they will naturally turn there first to 

 buy the animals. All of which tends to decrease the difficulties 

 of growing and marketing for the small breeder. 



The question of a market must always be considered, especially the 

 facilities for reaching it and the type of hog it demands. Most 

 communities have been successfully connected with the large central 

 markets by the railroads, but these will be of little avail if the roads 

 to the stations are poor. Good roads are of inestimable importance. 



