Precautions— First Food. 247 



Calendar, to append an inclining or pro- 

 jecting rail around, beneath which the pigs 

 may escape, on the downlying of the sow. 

 Sows which are given to devour their pigs, 

 or have teats too larg-e and coarse, or vieid 

 too thick and unwholesome milk, should be 

 discarded as breeders, but a small number 

 of pigs at the first Utter is no valid ob- 

 jection. 



The first food should consist of warm 

 and nourishing wash, whether from the 

 kitchen or dairy, thickened with fine pollard 

 or barley meal. A portion of strong beer 

 may be added as a cordial, sliould circum- 

 stances render it necessary. The common 

 wash, pollard or meal mixed wdth w^ater, 

 if scalding the better. The same diet is 

 proper for the pigs to partake of whilst 

 sucking. Tlie sow can scarcely be too 

 well kept during this period, and in ad^ 

 dition to two meals as above, should be 

 allowed a middle one of dry meat; for 

 example, a pint of peas or beans, with 

 half a peck of carrots, boiled potatoes, or 

 the like. Potatoes alone, are a poor and 



