232 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



considered the best remedy dried blood, fed to the sow, in doses 

 same as above. He would not otherwise change the diet or treat- 

 ment of the sow. 



One gentleman asked advice a.s to the treatment of sows affected 

 with paralysis of the hind legs. L. H. Roberts of Paton, Iowa, said 

 the trouble was due to lack of lime in the system, and he had found 

 a little lime water given about every two weeks to be helpful. 

 J. A. Benson of Primghar, Iowa, said the trouble was known 

 as motor paralysis, and that affected animals have as good ap- 

 petites as healthy ones. He had successfully used for it powdered 

 ginger and ^ dram powdered anise seed, fed in slop twice a day. 

 He gets his • druggist to put it up in powders, and gets sixteen 

 doses for twenty-five cents. He did not give this as an unfailing 

 cure, but since he began to use it he had not known a sow so 

 treated not to get up. A question as to the cause of the disease 

 elicited no satisfactory reply. 



J. M. Stewart of Ainsworth, Iowa, being unable to attend, had 

 forwarded to the secretary his paper on the subject. 



CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF LITTERS. 

 J. M. STEWART, AINSWORTH, IOWA. 



The care of the litter is a subject which cannot be covered by one 

 rule alone, as there are hardly two sows which can be handled alike at 

 farrowing time and no two litters of pigs which require the same 

 care to produce the desired results. One of the most essential things 

 is to have the sow in proper condition at breeding time and to carry 

 her along in good condition until time of farrowing. Yet you must 

 be very careful to not overload the sow with fat, for that will make 

 her sluggish, causing her to overlay her pigs. You must see that the sow 

 gets plenty of exercise. It is a good plan to make her go at least 

 twenty rods from her bed for feed and water. If she is properly fed 

 and takes plenty of exercise you will have very little trouble at farrow- 

 ing time. A sow in proper condition with a dry warm bed and plenty 

 of bedding will generally take care of her own litter. Unless you spend 

 a reasonable amount of time with the sows and gain their confidence 

 there are very few that will peaceably permit you to handle their pigs. 

 Sows that are easily disturbed and jump up every time you come near 

 them had better be left entirely alone. 



After farrowing leave the sow as quiet as possible and give her plenty 

 of water near at hand so she may have it as often as she wishes. I feed 

 dry oats and bran mixed for the first few days after farrowing, then 

 gradually mix a little chop feed in the water and add a little corn to 

 the oats and bran, until when the pigs are about ten days old I have 

 her on full feed. No definite rule can be laid down here, because it 

 all depends on the size of the litter and the amount of milk given by 



