MODERN FARRIER. 471 



25. Hog-Sty. 



Hog-sties are usually built in a very plain and 

 simple method, the chief objects being considered 

 those of warm dry situations for the animals to lie 

 in, with small areas or yards before them, and proper 

 troughs fitted up for holding their food. They are 

 most commonly constructed with lean-to or shed- 

 roofs, and have but seldom more than six or seven 

 feet width, with height in the same proportion. In 

 order to have them as convenient as possible, they 

 should be at no very great distance from the house 

 and offices, being well placed for the kitchen and 

 dairy, but as little connected with the other out- 

 buildings as may be. Some have suggested the 

 great propriety and advantage, in particular cases, of 

 having them connected in such a manner with the 

 scullery, as that the whole of the refuse articles from 

 it may be readily conveyed to them by means of 

 pipes or other similar contrivances. 



Where they are at a distance they should con- 

 stantly be so situated as that the servants need not 

 have occasion to enter the farm yards in the business 

 of feedinff them. 



Although it be the common notion that hogs are 

 naturally filthy in their habits, there are probably 

 very few domestic animals that are more pleased 

 when they have clean comfortable beds, and cer- 

 tainly not any on which cleanliness has a more evi- 

 dent effect, so far as thriving, feeding, and fattening 

 are concerned. With the view of keeping them 

 perfectly dry at all periods, a slight, but sufficient 

 degree of inclination or slope outwards should con- 

 stantly be given to the floors of the sties, as well as 

 those of the areas or yards with which they are con- 

 nected, and proper drains be constructed for convey- 

 ing away any moisture that may be present in them. 

 The outside yards should also be a little raised above 



