SWINE. 205 



quality before color. These general thoughts, thrown together 

 without much order, are applicable to any breed, almost, to be 

 found in a farmer's sty, except the land-pike, a mongrel breed 

 that should have been extinct long ago. To return to my 

 report: I generally select my stock a year in advance — three 

 or four female pigs. These are kept through the fall and 

 winter seasons upon milk, slops, apples and potatoes, so as to 

 keep them in good growing condition. I allow each to litter 

 in the spring, and when old enough, the pigs are taken away, 

 and I then commence feeding. This is about the 1st of July, 

 sometimes later. It was about the 1st of July when I com- 

 menced last year. I used corn and oats in the proportion of 

 three to one ; in all, fifty-three bushels, forty of corn and thir- 

 teen of oats. I generally feed as much as will be consumed — 

 not too nutritious at first. An occasional sprinkling of salt in 

 each pail, by way of seasoning, does no harm. During the 

 summer and fall I had more or less milk, which they shared 

 with the pigs. In cold weather I poured hot water on the meal 

 to cook or scald it. They manifested a greater relish for it 

 served in this way than when the same food was given raw and 

 cold. I posted down last season the quantity and the price of 

 the grain used. The price of corn ranged from eighty-two 

 cents to one dollar and ten cents, averaging about one dollar. 

 Oats varied in price from fifty to sixty cents. About fifty-five 

 brings a fair average estimate. I shall offset feeding, care of 

 them, &c, against their benefit in the yard. 



3 Shoats, 200 lbs. each — 600 lbs., at 5i cts., . 

 40 bushels corn, at $1, . 

 13 bushels oats, at 55 cts., ..... 



Total cost, $80 15 



From these I raised 19 pigs, which I sold for $18 87 

 Hogs dressed, respectively, 395, 380, 343=1,118 



lbs., at 8 cts., 89 44 



Total receipts, 138 31 



Net gain, $58 16 



34 



