INTRODUCTORY. 445 



altogetlier wholesome ; and this is probably owing to deficiency 

 in mineral constituents. Sir J. Lawes found that pigs fed 

 entirely on maize were affected with swellings on the neck, and 

 their breathing was laboured; when, however, supplied with 

 finely-sifted coal-ashes, common salt, and superphosphate of 

 lime, which they soon commenced to eat, these symptoms rapidly 

 lessened, and soon altogether disappeared. It is well known 

 that fatting pigs relish cinders, and, for whatever reason, it is a 

 good plan to give them a shovelful occasionally — possibly the 

 gritty material may assist digestion. In the case of stores, 

 breeding sows, &c., it is not necessary or desirable to be too par- 

 ticular about cleaning the roots with which they are fed; a 

 certain quantity of soil appears desirable. 



During the summer time sows that are properly rung may be 

 turned out to grass, and will maintain themselves, especially if 

 supplied night and morning with a few mangolds, which at this 

 season are very sweet and nutritious. Mr. John Tyrrel, in his 

 paper on pig-feeding, quoted largely by Mr. Martin, states that 

 his sows, from fifteen to twenty months old, lived in the fields 

 whilst there was any grass, even up to Christmas, having a well- 

 strawed shed into which they could run at all times ; during 

 winter they had roots, and did well. We have seen sows sum- 

 mered in yards on mangolds fresh in condition and healthy ; we 

 cannot, however, advocate such treatment. Wash and roots 

 should form the staple food of store pigs ; but, as our object 

 should be to mature as rapidly as possible, we do not believe in 

 a low diet either for growing or breeding stock. If the sow is 

 kept low, especially near the time of farrowing, the pigs are 

 weakly, and she has not the proper supply of milk for their 

 sustenance ; therefore, a handful of bran, a few brewer's grains 

 if they can be got, or a small quantity of palm-nut meal or home 

 grown corn, added to the wash, will pay, not only in the healthy, 

 thriving condition of the stock, but in the improved quality of 

 the manure. 



