Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 December 1882 — Is the Pig a Nuisance? [ARTICLE]

Is the Pig a Nuisance?

Is the pig a nuisance in tho village? He is, and he is not, just as ho is managed. On the farm, he has his place yet, as an indispensiblo worker, and cheap source of food and fertilizers. Butin the village, whore esthetics sometimes interfere with profits, people are getting fastidious, and avoid the pigpen as a nuisance. It would bo a nuisance perhaps under tho wes of the dwelling, managed in almost any way. But at the back end of the village lot, where the barn, if there is one, is located, there the sty may be safely placed without offense to eye, ear, or nostril, and with decided profit. It is the cheapest source of good pork, ham, shoulder, sausage, head-cheese, and lard, that a villager' can have. As a manufacturer of fertilizers for the village garden, the pig cannot be beaten. Ho turns every weed, soil, Vegetable, fruit, and all kitchen waste into gold. “Ah! but he squeals!” Thep feed him more, and he will be quiet as a lamb, all day and all night. “Ah! but the pen unsightly I” That is your fault, not his. Evon the sty has its esthetics, and it may be made “a thing of beauty and a joy forever” if you like. “Well, he smells badly, any w ay.” No, sir. Not if yor take proper care of him. Give him a sheltered bower for his nest, ami plenty of straw or leaves, and he will Iceop his bed as clean as a parlor.. him plenty of muck or peat, garden soil, head lands, or absorbelits of any kind, and ho will so thoroughly obaerVe the Mosaic law in regard to animal p astes, that no neighbor of yoijrn .mistrust that a pigis within a mile’of your' premises. The health comnflttee of the village will never smell you out, or enter complaint against your sty. Do not lay your sins of ommission at the door of the dumb beast. He has his esthetic side, and only requires a fair share of attention to lie made ornamental as well as useful. Please take particular notice that wo raise our own pork, eat home-cured hams, and know tho woman who makes our sausage-meat.— Clift, in American Agrimlturist.