384 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



randum of the date of service, that he may know when to look for the appearance of the 

 litter. 



Managing Brood SOWS. When farrowing occurs in cold weather, the sow should 

 have a place artificially warmed. A stove located near the pen so that its heat may be com 

 municated to it will be necessary under such circumstances. A temperature of not less than 

 sixty-five degrees will be necessary until the pigs are properly dried off, and will take the 

 teat. Young pigs are very tender, and will soon get chilled. It is well to provide warm, 

 dry, well-ventilated quarters for the sow, where she can be by herself, at least two weeks 

 before the time of farrowing. It may sometimes be a good plan to run rye straw through 

 the feed cutter before putting it in the breeding pen. If, however, the sow is isolated in sea 

 son, she will have sufficient time to break up the straw and make her own bed. Care should, 

 however, be used not to give her too much straw, or the pigs may be smothered in it. To 

 avoid all danger from the pigs being chilled, where no stove is provided for warming the 

 breeding pen, a woolen blanket may be placed carefully over the sow as soon as she has lain 

 down, and there are symptoms of approaching delivery. The attendant should of course 

 stay by, and see that the pigs are kept constantly covered by the blanket, as good care at this 

 time pays well. After the pigs are dried off and have taken the teat well, there will be less 

 danger of their getting chilled. It is a good plan to gentle the sows before farrowing by 

 accustoming them to be approached and frequently handled. Such sows will be more quiet 

 and can be more easily controlled or assisted than those that are wild and nervous. If neces 

 sary to check a costive tendency, feed the sow roots, green clover, oil meal, bran slops, etc., 

 for a few days before the pigs arrive. Old and experienced breeders say that a dose of castor 

 oil, even, is not needed in one case in a hundred. 



After farrowing, there should be undisturbed quiet and rest for from eight to ten hours. 

 A little salt in the slop, water, or gruel is generally relished at this time, but the drink first 

 allowed must not be sufficiently cold or in such large quantities as to produce a chill. Breed 

 ers of large experience recommend scalded shorts as a safe diet for a week or ten days after 

 parturition, to be followed by the addition of a portion of corn meal, seasoning it by mixing 

 a little salt. It should be remembered that during the period of gestation the health of 

 the sow largely influences the health of the pigs. Improper food is frequently given, and 

 too much of it at such times. Indigestion in the sow will produce this difficulty in the young 

 pig. Improper food, such as too much sour slops at the time of farrowing, will derange 

 digestion, unless the sow has access to earth, ashes, charcoal, and similar substances to 

 neutralize the excess of the acid. Sows, when carrying their pigs, should be occasionally 

 supplied with charcoal and ashes, and if kept in a pen, with green food or sod also. If the 

 blood becomes impure through improper food, these impurities will be communicated to the 

 milk, and hence will affect the health of the young pigs. 



When left to herself in the selection of food, the sow will instinctively so temper it by 

 seeking alkaline earths, charcoal, etc., in connection with grain and other food, as to prevent 

 acidity and fermentation, which are the two things more than all others that will damage the 

 milk, producing indigestion and a loose condition of the bowels of the pigs. Never allow 

 the sow and pigs to have access to, or lie in a manure pile. Basement stables are decidedly 

 objectionable in this respect. A farmer who permits his sow and her litter to lie in a manure 

 heap need not be surprised if one-half of the litter die, and the rest fail of being healthy. 

 The same may be said of permitting them to lie in a damp bed. 



To Prevent Crushing Young Pigs. In order to keep the sow from crushing the 

 pigs between herself and the wall, a rail or other protection should be placed around the 

 inside of the pen eight or ten inches from the walls, and about six inches from the floor. 

 Sometimes a shelf or piece of scantling is placed around the walls of the breeding pen. 



