332 HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF SWINE. 



fed. If warmer quarters are provided, less feed may be required ; but it is hard to draw 

 the line between, or explain in a few words, the dangers or risks of warm and poorly 

 ventilated hog-houses, as compared with the advantages and safety of less expensive and 

 more airy quarters. PHIL THRIFTON." 



The writer of the above needs no introduction to the reading public. 

 The " Haw Hill" breeder is a Berkshire man all over, and one who has 

 done much to advance the breed in popular favor. His methods are 

 clearly outlined, and will furnish an excellent guide for breeders of any 

 class of swine. 



Duroc-Jt rseys . 



PINEWOOD, TENN., August 6, 1888. 

 * * * * 



"We couple our sows early in November, which brings the farrowing time to the 

 latter part of February or first of March. Pigs farrowed at this time will be ten weeks 

 old by the middle of May, at which age they will have been weaned and ready for ship- 

 ment, enabling us to get them off to their new homes before the hot weather of spring 

 comes on. If bred for pork, we prefer that the farrowing should be a couple of weeks 

 later, as the grass will by that time be a little farther advanced, thus enabling the sows to 

 suckle better. After the sows are bred we separate them from the herd, and keep them 

 in lots or pastures in which there is plenty of good water. We feed them so as to keep 

 in thrifty condition, using the best variety of food that we can command. We usually 

 feed corn, oats and cut sorghum. Sorghum we value very highly ; it supplies the place 

 of grass, as it is very sweet and juicy, and tends to keep the sows from becoming feverish, 

 as they frequently do if fed on dry food all the time. We keep the vermin off by greasing 

 the sows with any waste grease, in which we put a little coal oil. We keep within their 

 reach a mixture of 



Wood ashes i bushel. 



Charcoal . i bushel. 



Salt YL bushel. 



Sulphur 5 pounds. 



" A couple of weeks before farrowing time we remove the sow to a lot in which is a 

 movable house 8 x 10, open on one side, which faces the south, the roof sloping toward the 

 north. Into this house we throw a lot of hay out of which the sow makes her bed. The 

 sow should be noticed a week before farrowing, and if her bowels are not open she should 

 be fed warm bran slops, which will generally open her bowels and prevent that feverish 

 condition that is so often seen at farrowing time, and which causes so many sows to eat 

 their pigs, or kill them by being restless, and lying on them. At farrowing time it is best 

 to leave the sow to herself, as frequently sows are excited by the presence of some well- 

 wisher, and in their efforts to drive off the intruder, kill the little pigs. After the far- 

 rowing is all over, and while the sow is quiet, remove any dead pigs and the afterbirth, 

 as sometimes sows are caused to kill and eat their pigs by getting a taste of those that 

 may be left dead in the bed. For the first day or so warm bran slops will be sufficient 

 food to give her, after which the feed may be gradually increased until the pigs are two 

 weeks old, by which time she should have all she will eat of as great a variety of feed as 

 can be given her. When the pigs are a little over two weeks old they will begin to eat a 

 little slop, which should be given them in troughs about three inches deep ; warm kitchen 

 slops will be most acceptable to them, after which cornmeal, made into a thin mush and 

 well cooked, is much relished by them. At a month old we give them meal raw, mixed 

 in kitchen slops or cold water, in which a little salt is put ; we sometimes give corn soaked 

 in water for 24 hours, again dry corn, changing the feed to keep the appetite sharp. Care 

 has to be exercised in feeding, as sometimes heavy feeding causes indigestion and scours, 



