In the conduct of club meetings a good club leader (or teacher) will remain in the background as much as possible, permitting the officers of the club to conduct the meeting. Parents, patrons, members of the advisory committee, and outside speakers should have a place on certain programs, but it should ever be borne in mind that the club is for boys and girls, and care should be exercised that the adults do not crowd them off the programs. A club will be far more successful if it succeeds in stimulating its own members to take part in club meetings, than if it merely fills up its programs with outside speakers.
In connection with the club meetings, visits should be made to places where actual club work can be observed. The corn plat, the pig pen, and the garden should be utilized in this connection. Observation trips and “hikes” should be taken to observe ideal conditions on farms or in homes.
Purpose of organization. How we are connected with other organizations. What others will do for us. What we will do for ourselves. What we will do for others. How we are going to make our club a success.
(1) Roll call, answered by naming breeds or breed characteristics.
Origin of swine. Characteristics of lard hog. Characteristics of bacon hog.
Demonstration: Locating and naming parts of a hog from a drawing, picture, or chart
(2) Roll call, answered by names of prominent breeders.
History of Duroc-Jersey. History of Poland China. History of Chester White. History of Berkshire. History of Hampshire.
(3) Roll call, answered by naming essentials for a healthy herd.
Mineral matter in the ration. Sanitary hog houses. Individual hog houses vs. the colony hog house. Dipping hogs.
Demonstration: Making an individual hog house, using blackboard or model.
(4) Roll call, answered by naming forage crops suitable for swine.
Alfalfa pasture. Rape. Other kinds of pasture.
(5) Roll call, answered by naming feeds suitable for swine.
Home grown feeds. Feeds that must be purchased.
Demonstration: Blackboard explanation of nutritive ratio of a feed or a ration.
(6) Judging contest: Each member to place three hogs.
(Basis of award: placing, 50; reasons, 50.)
Productive Swine Husbandry—Day. No. 1. Swine in America—Coburn. No. 2. The Hog Book—Dawson. No. 3. Manual of Farm Animals—Harper. No. 4. Pigs for Profit—Walker. No. 5. Swine—Dietrich. No. 6. Feeds and Feeding—Henry and Morrison. No. 7. Judging Farm Animals—Plumb. No. 8. Principles and Practices of Judging Live Stock—Gay. No. 9.