Boys', Girls' Clubs Can Help Win the War by Raising Pigs, Says J.M. McClung, 1918

“Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs” by J.M. McClung, County Agent, from the Jackson County Journal, Sylva, N.C., Jan. 18, 1918

Boys and girls, years after the war some little boy or girl may ask you: “What part did you take in the great world war?” What will your answer be? Will it be that you did nothing, or will it be that you “did your mite” by raising a pig, chickens or an acre of corn to feed the hungry soldiers who are willing to give their lives is necessary, for you and their country?

Germany has more hogs than she had at the beginning of the war, while the hog herds of the Allies have nearly all been consumed, even many of the breeding animals. The number of hogs in the U.S. has been reduced. Illinois which usually produces next to the largest number of hogs of any state in the U.S. will have a very small surplus next year.

North Carolina has been asked by the U.S. government to increase her number of hogs this year by 120,000. This means that Jackson County should raise at least 1,500 more hogs next year than usual. The boys and girls should respond to this call by joining the pig club.

The agricultural colleges have shown that hogs can be raised and fattened cheaper in the South than in any other section of the U.S. In this mild climate expensive houses are not needed, but in the North stoves are used to keep the pigs warm. Moreover, quite a variety of grazing crops can be grown, thus reducing the cost of pork production as the growing season of the South is much longer than in the North.

Since the U.S. Food Commission has given assurance that the price of hogs next fall shall be governed by the price of corn, there is no possible chance to lose in this game of raising pigs, for it means that hogs will sell for 26 cents per pound when corn is worth $2, that is 13 to 1.

Any boy between the ages of 10 and 18 years may become a pig club member, but he must procure at least one pig and care for it himself, keep a record of feed and pastures used. The pig must be weighed when it is bought as well as when sold in order to determine the gain and cost of the gain.

Each member of the club must agree to study the instructions sent by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Each member should send one pig to the County Fair. The winner at the County Fair must send pigs to the State Fair. Either pure-bred or grade pigs may be provided as the club member may desire. It is important to join as soon as possible.

The Poultry and Corn Clubs are very similar to the pig clubs. As it is impossible for the County Agent to see all boys and girls of the county, this announcement is given in order that those interested may see him at his office at the Sylva Court House any Saturday or write him as Sylva for other informatio