Jasper Republican, Volume 2, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 December 1875 — “As Dirty as a Hog.” [ARTICLE]

“As Dirty as a Hog.”

The expression originated with a dirty fellow who had some hogs that would have kept themselves clean if they had been allowed a fair chance. He never gave them a fair chance, however*, or an unfair chance. In truth he did not allow them any chance at all. They were fed dirty food in a dirty trough, the first being brought in a dirty pail from a dirty barrel. The pen and yards were apparently so constructed as to retain all the dirt that naturally accumulates in such places and to keep out everything that is clean. The yard was on low ground and had no drainage. In the course of getting out manure during several seasons it was hollowed out in the shape of a flaring-dish. Water opce in it remained till it was evaporated. Whenever there was anything about the house, barn or outbuilding too offensive to be tolerated there it was thrown into the hog-yaid. When the cellar was cleaned out in the spring or fall all the half-rotted apples, potatoes, cabbage and other vegetables were thrown into the hog-yard. The hog-yard was cleaned out once a year. It was done not with a view of having a clean place for the hogs, but for the purpose of obtaining some manure for a field of corn. The farmer thought that as his cows and horses were cleanly animals their quarters must be cleaned out every day. The hog, however, being a dirty animal by instinct and nature, was left to “ wallow in the mire.” It never occurred to him that a hog-yard should be cleaned out once a week nor yet once a month. ’

Once a year the hog-yard received an allowance of bedding or litter. This was done not with a. .view of. affording clean material for the hogs to lie on, but for the purpose of furnishing material to be converted into manure. The chances are that the material pitched into the yard was not fit for clean bedding when it was thrown in. Most likely it was musty hay, or hay or straw trom the bottom of stacks. Possibly the tops of stacks that had been exposed to the weather for six months were used for this purpose. A few spoiled hay-cocks might also have been used. That a hog can keep himself clean under these circumstances is Qut of the question. Nevertheless, the hog is a cleanly animal by nature. A young pig is the cleanest

young animal to be found about the farm. Give him a chance and he will grow up clean in his person and habits. The hog is the only domesticated animal that will make a clean; bed for ; himself whenever an opportunity is afforded- It is the only animal that will voluntarily go into the water for other purposes than to avoid insects and the heat of (he sun. His preference for clean places and clean food can be observed on all occasions. The hog in a wooded pasture will seek out a bed of clean leaves to lie on and cleawwater to drink. If a hog is brought up to be washed and scrubbed with a broom, be will come to the wash-pail as readily as to the slop-pail; and doubtless he derives as much benefit from the one as from the other. Cleanliness is known to be essential to (he health of man and the inferior animals. The hog is no exception to the rule. His blood is purified by air, like the others; and it will not be properly purified unless the air is pure. Filthy food will injure all animals, the hog included.— Chicago Timet.