i8o 

 XOTES OX THE CARE OF PIGS. 



From flic Journal of tJie Jamaica Agricultural Society. 



Imported Breeds. — The Poland China, Berkshire and Tam- 

 worth are all profitable types of pigs, and if crossed with our 

 native sows, will produce pigs that will mature early and scale 

 150 pounds and upwards at six months old. 



Breeding Sows. — A breeding sow should drop two litters a 

 year, the gestation period is four months, and her young pigs 

 should be weaned at six to eight weeks old. She should not be 

 closely confined. Shortly before dropping she may be penned, 

 her young being allowed to run in and out as they like. While 

 suckling her \oung she must be liberally fed three times a day 

 and not be allowed to nm down in condition. 



Young Pigs. — Growing pigs should be kept healthy and fat. 

 At the time of weaning they must receive suitable feed, such as 

 middlings or skim milk to keep them from falling off in condi- 

 tion. 



Fat Pigs. — Pigs should be fattened and fit for the butcher at 

 six months oki. The improved breeds should weigh at least 150 

 pounds at six months, and one pound per day should be the mini- 

 mum gain up to one year old. 



Feeds and Feeding. — Experiments in other countries have 

 established the fact that 4 pounds of corn ground and soaked in 

 water will produce i pound of pork ; but 4 pounds of corn fed 

 with skim milk in proportion of 3 quarts to i pound of corn, 

 will produce 2^2 pounds of pork. 



Imported Meals. — The high price of imported meal and corn 

 will not allow of its being profitably fed to pigs except to a small 

 extent, and then only in conjunction with other feeds. Breeding 

 sows while suckling their young should receive i to 2 pounds 

 daily in addition to other feeding if it is found they are falling 

 off in condition. 



Salt and Charcoal. — Salt should alv.ays be sprinkled over pigs' 

 food, and if they are kept in close confinement a handful of char- 

 coal should occasionally be thrown in the food. A pig should 

 be fed at least twice a day all it can eat up clean. 



Green Food. — A pig in confinement must be given some Guinea 

 grass or other green food daily. 



Water. — All pigs require pure water to drink and should have 

 access to it at all times. It is not necessary as many people sup- 

 pose that the pig in confinement should have a mud pool to wal- 

 low in. 



