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To grow hogs for food, you need at least three things: a pig pen, pigs, and a smokehouse. When I was about 13 we had none of the above. I talked Dad in to letting me grow a litter of pigs. He condescended and the multi-year project started. First, we went down the hill on the edge of the marsh and cleared a space for the pen. I buried cedar poles to support the side boards of rough sawn lumber. I also built a hog trough. I can remember where we purchased a young gilt, but we brought the little pig home and named her Sooki. Sooki grew rapidly upon a diet of waste vegetables and hog slop that she loved so well, she would lay down in the trough to slurp it up.
Sooki grew rapidly on her abundant died and enjoyed constantly munching cull Irish potatoes that we had lots of. When she came in season, Dad knew, he told me it was time for boar service. Normally, farmers who just raise hogs for home use, don't go to the trouble and expense of boarding a boar year round for just a few minutes of service. So, we located a colored farmer on Providence Road that kept a boar for the use of others in the area. In return for service, he expected a pig in return. How primitive can you be? In this day and time it seems unbelievable the trouble I went to deliver up to Sooki her suitor. I hitched up Liz, our faithful mule, to the horse cart that Dad built and took all the shortcuts through the farms along the way to Providence Road. We coerced the ill tempered raunchy boar into a cage, and somehow skidded the cage into the cart. With satisfaction I delivered the unhappy occupant home to Sooki. Breeding was quick and a sight to behold. I can here the contented grunts now. Sooki was ready and very cooperative. Then we had to recage the boar and deliver the contented beast back from whence he came. This was a very inefficient way of doing business, but I was young and determined, and all I could see was a brood of pigs.
Time passed slowly. I watched Sooki grow and grow, and after some 114 days of watchful waiting, the anticipated moment arrived. Sooki gave birth to eight of the cutest little pigs I ever did see. The little pig's gusto for nourishment was immediately evident as the jostled each other for their preferred nipple. My heart was filled with joy as I watched them. When well fed the pigs are docile and I would get into the pigpen and scratch their backs with a rough corn cob. I put off in my mind that fateful day when their time had come. But after months of slops, cull vegetables, and a little corn the pigs had gained their 180 pounds and slaughter was nigh. Hog killing on the farm was a special day. The weather had to cold enough for the suspended carcasses to cool overnight. I will not go into the details other than to say that we had plenty of help to butcher the pigs and render the lard. All of our farm tenants would pitch in, and were given a generous portions of fresh pork, lard, and chitterlings for their knowledgeable assistance.
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