l88 SWIXI-: IX AMERICA 



vengeance comes back with interest compounded. A ring 

 should not be set in the center of the nose, as it will pull 

 out much easier than if set somewhat on one side. 



"Except for old brood sows, one ring will usually be 

 found sufficient; if one will answer the purpose, two only 

 add to the annoyance of the animal, which is against 

 thrift. The kind of a ring used has much to do with ac- 

 complishing the purpose without unnecessary suffering 

 or annoyance. A ring that closes with the joint in the 

 nose should never be used. We remember seeing, some 

 years ago, at a railroad station, a lot of hogs brought 

 in for shipment. They had every appearance of being 

 out of condition, and no doubt were sold because they 

 were not thriving. Every one had a single ring set in the 

 center of the nose, with joint in the flesh, and every nose 

 was sore — a fact that the owner had failed to observe. 



"Recently we saw a lot of thrifty young hogs, all 

 having two rings in their noses. We were a little sur- 

 prised, as we seldom used rings on hogs of that size, and 

 expressed ourselves in that way to the owner. He replied 

 that he thought they thrived better if not allowed to root. 

 On this point we could hardly agree with him. Nor did 

 we think two rings were necessary when one would an- 

 swer the purpose. However, these were carefully set, and 

 would turn in the noses, the wounds having healed as 

 they always should, if the animal is to thrive. 



"It is our belief that on farms well underdrained and 

 where the hogs are fed a variety ration, and have salt 

 and wood ashes always by them, a great deal of the ring- 

 ing can be left undone. But where hogs have only corn 

 for food they are as sure to root when the ground is 



