HOUSES. 



when feeding is more expensive. Should crowding of the 

 pigs occur, some of them can be marketed by the last of 

 October, and market figures indicate that for the last ten 

 years the October prices have averaged considerably higher 

 than the December prices. 



Unless a good house is at hand, two litters cannot be 

 raised to advantage, because the spring pigs must be put off 

 so late that the fall litters do not get well started before cold 

 weather. Most farmers do not feel that they can keep an 

 old sow for one litter, but with two litters it becomes an 

 entirely different proposition. It is generally admitted that 

 old sows raise better pigs than young ones and the keeping 

 of old sows enables the hog raiser to select and keep only the 

 best producers. 



The selection of the best possible hog house is largely a 

 problem of local conditions. Thought must be given to the 

 various factors connected with the actual use of the house in 

 question. By studying the best points of the ideal house and 

 the advantages of the proper location, it is easier to better 

 judge as to comparative values of different types. The fol- 

 lowing abstracts from a bulletin on "Movable Hog Houses," 

 by John M. Evvard and J. B. Davidson, published by the 

 Agricultural Experiment Station, Iowa State College of 

 Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts, Ames, Iowa, will be of 

 service in this connection. 



THE ESSENTIALS OF AN IDEAL HOG HOUSE 



"The satisfactory house for hogs should possess these requirements: 



"Warmth The newly farrowed pigs especially demand protection. Early 

 pig production is impossible without warm shelter. Stock hogs thrive best 

 when they are not compelled to 'shiver' from cold and thus burn up feed 

 which would otherwise be converted into tissue. The wintering sow makes 

 good use of a warm sleeping bed. In truth, all classes of swine demand rea- 

 sonably warm shelter if maximum returns are expected. Sudden wide ranges 

 of temperature are to be avoided. 



"Dryness To expect thrift in damp, musty quarters is not logical. , The 

 dripping of condensed moisture from roof and walls is seriously objectionable. 

 Metallic constructions are open to deserved criticism in this respect; wooden 

 inside sheathing helps considerably. Masonry unless built with hollow air 

 space is somewhat liable to cause this undesirable condensation. A dry, well- 

 drained floor, as well as dry, tight roof and walls, are all essential. 



Five 



