SUGGESTIONS TO BEGINNERS 267 



For example (Fig. 60) all the pigs in the first litter would 

 have a nip taken out of the lower edge of the left ear next to the 

 head, which represents No.l. No. 2 is indicated by taking a nip 

 out of the lower edge of the left ear half way between the base 

 and the tip; and the pigs in the third litter have a nip taken 

 out of the tip of the left ear, and so forth. Between 5 and 10 

 two nicks are necessary. Thus, 6 = 5 + 1. 7 = 5 + 2. 

 8 = 5 + 3. 9 = 5 + 4. For No. 10, we go to the lower side 

 of the right ear next to the head. Larger numbers call for 

 various combinations, for example : 11 = 10 + 1. 12 = 10 + 2. 

 17 = 10 + 5 + 2, etc. The nick should not be made deep, or 

 it will disfigure the ear ; just a little deeper than the thickness 



Fia. 60 FIG. 61 



FIG. 60. One method of numbering pigs by means of ear marks. If all the pigs in a 

 litter are given the same mark, the large numbers will be unnecessary, except in very large 

 herds. 



FIG. 61. Another method of ear-marking pigs, which some may prefer to the one 

 first mentioned. 



of the skin is sufficient. If the piece is cut out cleanly, the 

 mark will stay as long as the ear lasts. 



Another method of numbering is as follows: A cut on the 

 lower or outer side of the right ear indicates " one," and a. 

 corresponding cut on the left ear indicates " three." Also, 

 a cut on the upper or inner side of the right ear indicates " ten," 

 and a corresponding cut on the left ear indicates "thirty." 

 Thus No. 2 would be indicated by two cuts on outer side of right 

 ear. No. 4 would be 3 + 1. No. 6 would call for two cuts on 

 outer side of left ear. No. 7 = 6 + 1. No. 43 = 30 + 10 

 + 3. Two cuts on inner side of left ear would indicate 60, and 

 three cuts would be 90. Thus it will be seen that a great many 

 numbers may be indicated by using different combinations of 

 cuts. (Fig. 61.) 



