Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 75

Goats.

kids are fit for the table from 3. weeks to 3. months old.

Hogs.

keep a breeding sow to every 2. laborers. Antient husbandry.

a hog of a year old takes 1. barrel of corn to fatten him. he will weigh 100.. he eats a bushel of corn a week while fattening.

my mark in Albemarle is a Crop & slit in the Right ear.
an Underkeel & slit in the Left ear.

2. bushels of corn keep a grown hog a year.

a hog (suppose of 100.) eats 1 bushel of corn a week, & in between 7. & or 8. weeks will weigh 175.. consequently every bushel of corn adds 10. to his weight.

every hog raised & fattened (including the stolen & lost) will have eaten 3. barrels of corn.

the young hogs require a bushel of corn a month for 4 months, their 1st winter, & no more till they are put up to be fattened. then 1½ barrel. this makes him cost 2 B–1½ b but to this should be added 2. bushels eaten by the young hogs which are lost, and which make a part of the cost of those brought to slaughter.

Manuscript (Massachusetts Historical Society, Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 75). Scan available online here.

Source Information

Author Thomas Jefferson
Date 1772-1826
Place of Origin Monticello
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