Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 200, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 August 1912 — Farmer Offers Pigs as Starter for a City Zoo [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Farmer Offers Pigs as Starter for a City Zoo

QT. LOUIS, MO.—A domestic departM ment in the zoological garden la urged by George L. Laage, who. In a letter to the Zoological society, offers to present a nucleus in the shape of a pair of blue-blooded hogs. Although officers of the society believe that what the St. Louis collection needs most is wild animals, some favor such a supplement as Mr. Laage proposes, and his communication will have serious consideration. The Laage letter Is as follows: “I have noticed with a great deal of interest the progress being made toward establishing a zoo in Forest Park. “Not wishing to intrude at the same time I am anxious to make a suggestion and ■ a donation. “So many of the city children, grown folks as well, have seen all kinds of wild animals in traveling menageries, but how may of these city folks have seen our ordinary domestic animals in their habits? “My reason for this suggestion: About a year ago I had on exhibitton

in a show window, a prize pig. A mother with her two children stopped to take a look at it The children exclaimed: ‘Oh, mamma, what a funny looking dog that la!' The mother knew no better and could not explain to her children. “Why not exhibit our own food-pro-ducing animals, such as cows, sheep and hogs, to the children who never get to the country, and let them know where their food stuff comes from? “Domestic animals can be secured without-cost. Anyone having pride In them will be glad to donate or loan them to your proposed zoo. “To start the ball-a-rolling, I will donate a fine male and female Dww Jersey hog.” .