BULLETIN 129 December, 1903 



Ontario Agricultural College and Experimental Farm. 



BACON PRODUCTION. 



By G. E. Day, Professor of Agriculture and Farm SupenntendenL 



PART I.— BUILDINGS. 



The question of buildings for swine is such a complicated one that it seems 

 a hopeless task to attempt a discussion of the subject. Almost every piggery 

 that is built possesses certain features peculiar to itself, and rendered neces- 

 sary by the circumstances which it is intended to meet. All that will be 

 attempted here, therefore, is a brief discussion of the desirable features of a 

 piggery, illustrated by drawings of a cheap and convenient building which may 

 be modified to meet almost any requirements. 



The most important requirements of a piggery are dryness, ventilation, 

 light, freedom from draughts, reasonable warmth, and convenience. 



Dryness. Dryness is closely associated with ventilation, but is also influ- 

 enced by the material of which the building is constructed. Good results can 

 not be obtained in a damp pen; and dripping walls are a pretty sure indication 

 of impending disaster. Rheumatism and numerous forms of unthriftiness result 

 from dampness. Stone and cement walls are very cold in winter, and chill the 

 air of the pen, causing it to deposit its moisture upon their surface. In a 

 short time the wall becomes quite wet, and trouble is stored up for the pigs. 

 A hollow cement wall is much less objectionable than a solid one; but our 

 experience leads us to prefer wooden walls, constructed in such a way as to 

 form a complete dead air space in the centre. 



Ventilation. Thorough ventilation is a great help in preserving dryness; 

 but it is a difficult thing to secure in a piggery without unduly lowering the 

 temperature. It is a great aid to ventilation to provide a large air space, or, 

 in other words, to have a high ceiling. The tendency at present is to do away 

 with the common loft over the piggery, and to have the space above the pigs 

 extend to the roof. This gives more air space, and makes ventilation a sim- 

 pler problem. The admission of fresh air can be provided for by constructing 

 shafts in the walls at intervals of fifteen or twenty feet. These shafts open 

 outside near the ground, and inside, at the ceiling. Provision should be made 

 for the closing, or partial closing, of these intakes when cold air is admitted 

 too rapidly. Windows in the roof, as described in the plan, are a very efifec- 

 tive means of removing foul air. 



Light. Light, especially sunlight, has a wonderful influence in promoting 

 health. So far as possible, the windows should be on the south side of the 

 building, as the south side gets most sun, and is least exposed to cold winds. 



Draughts. While ventilation is necessary, draughts are extremely injurious, 

 and their prevention should be kept in view when building. 



Warmth. Warmth is a good thing; but it should not be secured at the 

 expense of ventilation. A somewhat cold pen, well ventilated but free from 

 draughts, is preferable to a warm pen where the air is damp and foul, and 

 the pigs will suflfer less discomfort in the former than in the latter. 



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