238 FEEDING AND MANAGEMENT 



being careful not to cut the membrane or sac which envelops 

 the testicle. Then draw out the testicle enclosed in its membrane, 

 and, at the same time, work the intestine back into the body of 

 the pig. With the pig held as described, the intestine will go back 

 to its place with little or no assistance. Having drawn out the 

 testicle far enough, tie a strong white string firmly around the 

 cord of the testicle (including the membrane) and then cut away 

 the testicle (enclosed in its membrane) just outside of where the 

 string is tied. Leave the ends of the string three or four inches 

 long, so that they hang outside the wound. If .the string does 

 not come away in a couple of weeks, it may be pulled out. 



If the rupture is only on one side, the remaining testicle may 

 be removed in the ordinary way. The scrotum should be washed 

 with disinfoctant before any incision is made. The hands of 

 the operator and the knife should also be washed with disin- 

 fectant, and the string should be soaked in disinfectant before it 

 is used. The incision in the scrotum should extend well down- 

 wards to facilitate drainage from the wound. These simple 

 precautions assure success. 



The writer has employed this method successfully, and when 

 the wound heals no person could tell that the pig had been 

 ruptured. 



Feeding and Management after Weaning There is con- 

 siderable difference of opinion as to the best age at which to 

 wean pigs. Some advocate leaving the pigs with the sow for 

 ten or twelve w^eks, in fact, the sow is allowed practically 

 to wean her own pigs. For producing show pigs this method 

 may answer very well, but it means only one litter a year; at 

 any rate, it does not admit of two litters a year. The average 

 farmer will find it more profitable to wean his pigs early 

 enough to permit two litters a year to be raised. If the young 

 pigs have been taught to eat as described, and skim-milk is 

 available, they may be weaned successfully when six weeks old. 

 It is true that many pigs are weaned before they are six weeks 

 old. It is seldom advisable to do so if they appear to be thriving 



