368 THE HANDBOOK FOR PRACTICAL FARMERS 



Prompt assistance is necessary if the sow has difficulty in 

 delivering the pigs. If the farrowing place is cold the pigs will 

 need attention. A jug of hot water in a box is a good way to 

 keep them warm. If a pig gets so cold that it is paralyzed, 

 immerse in hot water and then rub dry and wrap in woolen 

 cloth. 



Exercise for sow and pigs at this time is necessary. 



The sow should not be fed the day she farrows. Plenty of 

 water should be provided. The sow should be on full feed by 

 the third or fourth day and should then be fed liberally on a milk 

 producing ration (see feeding). 



Weaning : The pigs should not be weaned till they are at least 

 six weeks old. Take the sow away from the pigs, not the pigs 

 away from the sow if possible. 



Castration of young pigs. — Pigs should be castrated when 

 they are young. About a week before they are Aveaned is the 

 best time. The longer the operation is delayed, the more of a 

 setback it is to the pig. 



The operation should be performed on a clear, dry day. It is 

 best to let the pigs run in a clean pasture afterwards. It is well 

 to play safe. The operator should wash the scrotum and also 

 his hands and the knife in an antiseptic solution. 



The attendant should hold the right hind and front leg of the 

 pig in his right hand and the left hind and front leg in his left. 

 In this manner the pig should be held in the lap of the attendant. 



A testicle is seized between the thumb and forefinger of the 

 operator and an incision is made over the most prominent part, 

 parallel with the middle line of the scrotum and a half inch to 

 the side of it. The cut should be long enough to free the testicle 

 and should go through the sack that encloses the testicle. The 

 membraneous sac is allowed to go back and should be cut loose 

 at the inner part of the testicle so that the cords may be pulled 

 out and scraped, not cut, off. 



To castrate a pig is a simple operation and any farmer can 

 easily perform it after a little practice. 



FEEDS 



Corn. — Corn as a hog feed is unequaled. It contains large 

 amounts of carbohydrates and fats in a palatable form. More 

 hogs are annually fattened on corn than on all other feeds com- 

 bined. Corn is low in protein and ash content so that it should 

 be supplemented with muscle and bone-building material. 



