THE BREEDING AND CASE OP HOfSS. 969 



Castration h a simple operation. Let an a^stant hold the pig on its 

 back, with its head and shoulders between his knees and with tiio legs 

 spread apart. With a sharp knife, cut down into the scrotum and tiiroagh 

 th:; tesJcle, press it out from the integuments, separate this from the tcs- 

 ticl and with a jerk break the ooi"d j or the cord may be cut with a dull 

 p.lr of shears to prevent bleeding. The pigs will generally do well enough, 

 t^iough there is no objection to introducing a little melted h:rd and salt 

 into the wound. If there is a-welUng the second day, inject into the cavity 

 tt Jiale tincture of myrrh. 



7L Gestation of Sows. 



Gestation in the sow is accomplished in three months, three weeks and 

 three days, as the average time. There is a vanation sometin co ai twenty 

 and even thirty days. Young or weak sows carry their young i^ shorter 

 period than older and stronger ones. Once you get a good breeding sow, 

 keep her as long as possible, since young sows are often bad mothers. A 

 sow will remain prolific for about eight years, unless she becomes over- 

 ioaded with fat, and this must be guarded against. 



XI. Necessity of Qood Care. 



Swine have naturally but little hair, aiid artificial breeding has nearly 

 destroyed what little they originally had. To supply this lack, nature has 

 given them a thick layer of fat next the skin, when in good condition. 

 Hence the necessity, not only of good feeding, but also of warm quarters 

 and a good bed to lie in. Mature has also given them the instinct to 

 curry together plenty of material for maidng their own beds, and also 

 to lie together in families for mutual warmth. Knowing these facts, it 

 should not be difficult for the sagacious farmer so to provide them with 

 food and quarters, that they may be comfortable. If this is not done, 

 and considerable numbers are kept together, they will *'pne up" in cold 

 nights so that in the morning the owner may have a chance to dx&g out 

 some hogs dead from smothering. For when swine are piled up two or 

 three thick, the under layer have no longer the power to move if they 

 should try. 



Xn. BiGging a Hog. 



We do not believe in ringing swine, except fattening stock and those 

 fed in the fields with a view to fattening. We believe it one of the most 

 prolitic causes of disease and contagion, especially in preventing them from 

 getting their natural food. Breeding stock should never have rings in their 

 noses, at least until tbey are ready to be turned out for fattening. 



