REPORT ON SWINE. 21 



most valuable manures upon the farm. The disposition of 

 this animal to root and exercise should be encouraged when 

 young, especially in such animals as it is intended to keep 

 for breeding-purposes ; for it not only tends to develop a 

 stronger and more vigorous constitution, but, if suitable ma- 

 terial is furnished in a yard attached to the pen, they will 

 work over, and convert into a valuable fertilizer, such waste 

 stuff as weeds, potato-tops, leaves, rubbish from the garden, 

 etc. These, with an occasional load of loam, will in a season 

 secure a mass of material that will be worth not less than 

 ten dollars for each animal that is kept and fattened to 

 the age of eight or nine months. It is a great mistake for 

 farmers to neglect this advantage of the manufacture of 

 manure, and to rely, in its stead, upon commercial fertilizers. 

 The sad results of this unwise course are only too often 

 apparent. 



DISEASES OF HOGS. 



The value and importance of the hog as food is a sufficient 

 reason for guarding with scrupulous care the health of this 

 animal. Too often reared in filth, and slaughtered in disease, 

 it is not strange that the use of pork is unpleasantly sug- 

 gestive of " cholera " and " trichiniasis." It is safe to say 

 that most of the diseases of swine are the results of inatten- 

 tion and neglect. Give the hogs clean pens, a large yard or 

 lot in which to exercise, and access to fresh earth, healthful 

 food, pure water, and seldom, if ever, will they be troubled 

 with disease. Study to promote the comfort of all the crea- 

 tures in your keeping, if the best results are desired, and you 

 wish to prove yourself a humane man. 



For hogs that are kept closely penned, an occasional dose 

 of sulphur is thought to bo beneficial. The same can be 

 said of charcoal. An occasional scrubbing with the aid of a 

 brush, warm water, and soap, not only adds to their looks, 

 but promotes their growth and comfort. For mild cases of 

 diarrhoea, give the pigs fresh skimmed milk thickened with 

 wheat-flour. For measles, kill or get rid of the animal that 

 has them. That is the best way to treat such diseased stock. 

 Let some one else doctor, and eat them afterwards if they 

 chance to live, — not you. 



