152 SWINE IN AMERICA 



less milk until she is dry. The (hy sows sliould proi)erIy 

 have a pasture of their own. and their feechni;- should be 

 moderate, and of a growth-making- rather than fat- 

 forming character until they are again in pig. 



Following their weaning the proper policy is to feed 

 the pigs for growth rather than fat, yet if at the age of 

 eight weeks they are not plump and sleek it is pretty 

 strong evidence that some of the conditions ha\e been 

 unfavorable. They should be thrifty, but not over fat, 

 and have opportunity for plenty of exercise and sun- 

 shine, which are useful preventives of thumps and scours, 

 both after and before weaning. 



Where, to save them, it is found necessary to raise 

 pigs b}^ hand, and a bottle and nipple are not in ready 

 reach, an old-fashioned substitute for the mother is a 

 shallow tin dish with a piece of cloth drawn tightly 

 through a hole in the bottom. The cloth should extend 

 about an inch both above and below the bottom of the 

 pan. When the pan is filled with warm, sweet milk 

 and the upper end of the cloth is placed in the pig's 

 mouth he will not be at a loss to locate the nourishment. 

 The children will be glad to see that the pig's "pan 

 mother" is ready at the proper times. 



DRY, AVARM QUARTERS 



It should not be forgotten that for swine, as for 

 all other stock, warmth is to a certain extent equivalent 

 to food, for which reason comfortable surroundings 

 have a money value, the protected animals not only re- 

 quiring- less food, but growing faster than their less 

 favored relatives. A dry, warm sleeping place means 



