SHEEP, SWINE, AND OTHER DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 451 



the after-birth is dropped, remove it at once, for if she eats it 

 she will be likely to eat her pigs also. If she should commence 

 to eat her pigs, give her a half pint of spirits and make her 

 drunk. If she is not too fat she will manage without lying on 

 her pigs. For a week or two before farrowing she should be 

 fed on cooked meal and milk, and this should be continued for 

 some time after. If roots are given, they should be cooked 

 also. If convenient, turn her out an hour or two every day 

 into grass. If a farmer has a few lengths of adjustable fence 

 always about his premises he will find it handy on many occa- 

 sions. He can fence in a few rods of grass for pigs, calves, or 

 lambs, as required. After ten or twelve days the pigs can be 

 let out with the sow. Frequent feeding is better for the sow 

 than large feeds. If she is weakly, or seems to have too many 

 pigs for her milk, make a mash of whey and bran, or skim milk, 

 meal and bran, and teach the pigs to eat as soon as possible. 



Messrs. N. P. Boyer & Co., large breedora of improved swine, 

 say, in their " Stock Journal." 



It sometimes happens that sows, especially with a first litier, 

 refuse to acknowledge the maternal relation ; and, like some of 

 our own species, endeavor to discard their ofl'spriug. 



When a case of this kind shall occur, after the sow has ceased 

 labor enter the pen quietly and catch the sow, placing her upon 

 her side, and whilst one person at her back, with his knees 

 gently pressing upon her to keep her down, and a hand over 

 her to each set of feet to keep her from struggling, another one 

 places the pigs in position at the teats, which they sometimes 

 refuse until the nipple be wet with new milk, when they readily 

 take hold and require little invitation afterward. After the pigs 

 have sucked they must be removed before letting go of the sow, 

 if she still remains belligerent, or she may injure them in her 

 haste to rise and get away ; but if she utters that short and con- 



