WORLD'S LARGEST HOG FARM.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 578, 26 October 1920, Page 4

WORLD'S LARGEST HOG FARM.

STEAM-HEATED APARTMENTS AND. SUN PARLOURS.

Steain-lieated apartments with electric lights and running water, sun parlours, play yards for the little pigs, a hospital and other modern conveniences are features of the world's largest hog farm, located at Kirkland, Washington. At this unique farm 14,000 porkers are being given the care of human beings, preparatory to turning them next fall into 3,500,000 pounds of ham, bacon, pork chops, pickled pigs' feet, roast pork and head-cheese. One hundred and fourteen buildings are required to house the 14,000 hogs, the largest being 680 .feet by 28 feet in dimensions. Every day 112,000 pounds of food, comprising vegetables, alfalfa, etc., are distributed to the porkers, and daily 2000 gallons of buttermilk are distributed to the herd.

'Attendants of > the pampered hogs include veterinarians and a dentist. There are more than 3000 baby pigs, and as fast as the dentist can get round to them, their tusks are destined to be pulled out. This is done because the growing' porkers must not experience discomforts, and little pigs cannot resist the temptation to bite tTie ears of their brothers and sisters. In the 300 sun parlours adjoining their mothers' steam-heated apartments, the little pigs bask without a care in the world during the first four weeks of their life. They are put in the hospital* for some time. The vaccination process there has been simplified so as not to annoy the little pigs too much. Afterward, they are returned to their mothers. Play yards have been opened for them, adjoining the sun parlours, and when they wish, they can play outside, scampering back to their steamheated rooms when it rains or they : become chilly.

Four weeks niter the first trip to ihe hospital, they are taken there again. Marks are made in their ears so as to make their pedigree a matter of record, and they become distinguished for their blue blood or scrub strain, as the case may be. When they return to their 'apartments this time, they find their mothers have been taken from them. The steam heat is still there, however, also the sun parlours and play yards. For three weeks, more the little pigs romp about, playing, growing and eating- principally the latter. Then it is time for the third and last trip to the hospical, where th-2 double treatment vaccination against pneumonia and hog cholera is given. After this experience the pigs lose their steam-heated apartments, because other families have been moved into them. They then are put out in fields—large lots in each of which 300 young pigs are segregated. Life for the pigs from that time

nil for two months is one round of gamboling and eating, with the ::\on otony broken every two weeks by ur. antiseptic bath. In the open air and sunshine, with limitless quantities ol rich food always at hand, the pigs grow rapidly. They eat until their jaws grow tired, rest or play, then eat again. When they sleep, they awaken, to discover plenty of food still left. Rapidly they change front shouts to hogs. When they reach a weight of 250 pounds they are led to the market. 'I his is tiie second successful season of the world's/largest hog farm. Interest in it has been manifested by the United States Department of Agriculture, which considers the enterprise vitally important, and has stated that this up-to-date porker farm should be duplicated in every town and city in the country. Hog houses also are now being heated by furnaces on other farms. A tunnel is run und*" 1 ° concrete"/loor ".'.. some instances. The heat is conducted through this tunnel. This type of tunnel is best made of fire brick. In one successful instance a damper was used through the tunnel and reservoir for heat, and the quantity of fuel consumed was greatly reduced. This modern version of ''keeping" a

pig in a parlour" is a decided step forward, not only in protecting the young animals and increasing the production to keep pace with the demand for pork, but in improving the breeds. The consideration of the welfare of hogs is not confined to the proper raising of shoats, however. State colleges and other institutions interested in agricultural work are experimenting with various types of hog houses which will be suitable for all seasons. One of tiiese houses of new design that is being " tried out" by the lowa State College is so constructed that practically any section of it can be raised by jfulleys to provide openings for light and ventilating purposes. All sides can be lifted for summer use.