114 The Agricultural Papers of George Washington 



farm ought to furnish. 



Whether it will be most advisable to restrain these hogs 

 from running at large or not, can be decided with more pre 

 cision after the result of those now in close pens is better 

 known. 



The exact quantity of corn used by those which are now 

 in pens, should be ascertained and regularly reported, in 

 order to learn the result. 



Stables and Farm Pens 



These ought to be kept well littered, and the stalls clean ; as 

 well for the comfort of the creatures that are contained in 

 them, as for the purpose of manure; but, as straw cannot 

 be afforded for this purpose, leaves and such spoiled straw 

 or weeds as will not do for food, must serve for the stables ; 

 and leaves and cornstalks are all that can be applied to the 

 pens. To do this work effectually, let the cornstalks be cut 

 down by a few careful people with sharp hoes, so low as 

 never to be in the way of scythes at harvest; and, whenever 

 the wheat will admit carts to run on it without injury, let 

 them be brought off and stacked near the farm pens. In 

 like manner, let the people, with their blankets, go every 

 evening, or as often as occasion may require, to the nearest 

 wood, and fill them with leaves for the purposes above men 

 tioned; bottoming the beds with cornstalks, and covering 

 them thick with leaves. A measure of this sort will be, if 

 strictly attended to, and punctually performed, of great 

 utility in every point of view. It will save food, make the 

 cattle lie warm and comfortable, and produce much manure. 

 The hogs also in pens must be well bedded in leaves. 



