488 FARMING FOR LADIES, [chap. xxiv. 



was only 170 lbs. ; thus showing that the su- 

 periority of the caged pig could only have 

 arisen from the mode of feeding." 



We have said so much against the feeding 

 of young pigs for making bacon, that we need 

 now only caution our readers against the prac- 

 tice of killing them at any age ere they be 

 completely fat ; for the more peas and bar- 

 ley-meal a hog consumes, the better will be 

 the hams and bacon, and nothing will pay 

 better, for the fatter he becomes, the less will 

 he eat. It is well known that nothing is more 

 indigestible than lean bacon; while, if the ani- 

 mal be well fed and thoroughly fattened, the 

 fat is not only one of the most nutritious and 

 easily-digested meats we possess, but aids 

 materially in promoting the digestion of other 

 food. Do not, therefore, give way to the 

 disgust sometimes expressed by over-delicate 

 people at very fat hogs and bacon : if you 

 purchase the meat, never buy it if it is lean ; 

 and if you fatten the hog, never kill him until 

 he can no longer walk. 



When intended to be killed, the animal 

 should be left fasting for full twenty-four 

 hours, and lohen killed, there are two modes 



