CHAP. XXIII.] FARMING FOR LADIES. 459 



dar months, from the time when the sow takes 

 the boar until she farrows, but should be 

 looked for soon after the expiration of six- 

 teen weeks ; at which time she should be put 

 up in a sty kept for her alone, with clean 

 straw for her bed, which she will carefully 

 arrange after her own fashion. Too much 

 litter should not, however, be given to her, as 

 the young pigs are fond of nestling under it, 

 and are sometimes overlaid by the sow and 

 smothered. It is, indeed, a good plan to take 

 them, one by one, from her while farrowing, 

 and put them by the fire-side in a basket of 

 wool, or wrapped up in an old blanket ; giving 

 them at the same time a few spoonsful of new 

 milk warmed and slightly sweetened. This 

 will guard against such accidents, and pre- 

 vent the sow from indulging in an unnatural 

 propensity, which she sometimes evinces, of 

 devouring her own progeny. When done 

 farrowing, the pigs should be taken to her, 

 and those which appear strong may be left 

 with her, but those which are weak may be 

 kept in the same manner for a day or two ; 

 being taken early and late, night and morn- 

 ing, as well as two or three times in the 



