LECTURES AND ESSAYS READ AT INSTITUTES. 289 



they find that even the hog, by kind and gentle treatment, is susceptible of 

 improvement in disposition and manners. 



The rapid increase and quick growth of the pig makes it possible to take 

 advantage of unexpected large crops of corn as has been witnessed the past 

 season, and in case of failure of corn crops the same qualities apply with equal 

 force. They can be disposed of before having cost the farmer so much as tO' 

 impoverish him for the season in buying high priced grain to feed them until 

 of a proper age to fatten them, for it is understood that the proper way is tO' 

 have them in condition for market at all ages. It is an unsettled question, or 

 one at least that has advocates on both sides, whether it is more profitable to 

 have pigs farrowed early in spring and push them with high feeding to market 

 at eight to ten months old, or have them farrowed later, say in May and June^ 

 and feed moderately, letting them get a large portion of their sustenance from 

 clover pasture the first season, and the second summer live entirely on pasture 

 until in August or September, and then feed a few weeks on corn and market 

 them early. A much heavier weight can be made by the latter process, and a 

 larger portion of it is made on grass, which is the cheapest and one of the best 

 of earth's productions for making animal growth. By planting early varieties 

 of corn for part of the crop it may be ready for feeding the hogs as soon as 

 the middle of August, and after four to six weeks on corn they will be ready 

 for the early fall market, which is usually better than the late fall market. 

 Both systems have their advantages and defects which nearly balance. 



One of the most important items in a profitable rearing of the pig is to keep 

 it growing each and every day of its life. The careful pig raiser begins to 

 feed his pigs as soon as they show any disposition to eat. If it is to be 

 had he tempts their appetite with a little sweet milk, put before them in a 

 place where the sow cannot reach it, and soaks shelled corn for them as they 

 advance, and does not forget to feed the sow well at the same time. The 

 farmer who has a dairy has an important advantage in raising pigs over him 

 who has not one. But it is not necessary to have a dairy to raise good pigs ; 

 other feed than milk can be substituted with success. 



The profit in any kind of stock farming comes from constant care and good 

 management more than from hard work. The sleeping place of the pigs 

 should be dry and not dusty, and in cold weather protected from cnrrents of 

 wind. Salt and ashes are good things to have where they can go to them at 

 any time. Corn is the best grain for fattening hogs, and may constitute an 

 important factor in the feed of pigs; but be sure they have more of milk^, 

 oat meal, barley, mill feed, or something that tends more to bone and muscle 

 growth than to fat. 



So far as breeds of the improved swine are concerned choose any one that 

 your fancy may prefer, but when you have made your selection do not fail to 

 breed from pure stock on side of sire. 



From a somewhat extended experience in breeding several of the popular 

 kinds I have adopted the Poland China as the one that suits me best. I 

 think it has qualities better adapted to the general farmer, and especially to 

 one who wishes to raise hogs in large numbers, than any other breed with 

 which I am acquainted. In the first place, it has large growth and fine quality, 

 and will fatten at any age, and if well fed will continue to grow and make a 

 large hog. In the second place it is hardy and prolific; third, it is quiet and 

 peaceable in disposition, valnable qualities in the breeding sow; fourth, it is a 

 hearty eater, and assimilates its food to the best advantage, without which 



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