510 DOMESTIC ANIMALS, DAIRYING, ETC. 



devices on the market which accomplish this purpose. Fill the half 

 barrel with water and fasten on a board cover. In this way the 

 drinking water is always kept clean and accessible. 



An open shed, floored, is advantageous for feeding. The hogs 

 are thus protected from the sun in hot weather, and the soaked corn 

 can be scattered on a clean floor. Never throw corn for hogs on the 

 ground. It forces them to eat too much dirt. 



It is emphatically necessary to avoid all wallowing holes if the 

 herd is to be kept healthy. (U. S. Cir. 30.) 



Exercise. A fact that has recently been determined indicates 

 that the influence of exercise upon the functional activities of a pig 

 is an important factor. Hence the lack of exercise is a handicap to 

 the fall pig because during the winter on account of cold weather 

 not so much exercise is usually taken as in the summer, except dur- 

 ing very hot periods. For maximum and most economical produc- 

 tion it seems absolutely necessary for the young and growing pig to 

 have an abundance of exercise. Its chief value seems to be in the 

 influence it exerts upon the respiratory and digestive functions. 

 (111. Cir. 133.) 



The foundation on which to build a successful breeding ani- 

 mal is ample range, affording an abundance of exercise, and a rather 

 narrow ration. Growth should be continuous and feed plentiful. 

 The pigs should not be given so large a range and so little feed that 

 they will develop nothing but bone; neither should they have so 

 much to eat that they will become indolent and refuse to take the 

 exercise required to develop necessary bone and muscle. Exercise 

 will strengthen the sinews and develop strong muscles, as well as 

 firm joints and strong legs, while a well-filled stomach will nourish 

 these ; and from this management we may expect a sow that will be 

 strong, thrifty, and a good breeder, and a boar that will do good work 

 in the herd without breaking down in any respect before he should. 



No time should be lost after farrowing in getting the sow into 

 the open air. Of course, if the pigs were farrowed during the winter 

 months care will be needed, and it may be necessary to let the pigs 

 reach the age of tw r o weeks before turning them out. They can, how- 

 ever, get considerable exercise in the piggery or in the lot with the 

 sow, and there is often a lot adjoining a barn that is sunny and shel- 

 tered from cold winds where the new family may be turned out for 

 exercise. Avoid particularly allowing the pigs to run out during a 

 cold rain. They are especially tender during the first weeks. (F. 

 B. 205.) 



Comparing sets II and III with the same feed but one fed in the 

 pen and the other in the yard, it will be seen that the yard set gained 

 18 pounds more or .035 of a pound more per pig daily. The set 

 getting exercise consumed 221 pounds more food during the period 

 (125) days and required ten per cent more food for 100 pounds 

 gain. The most economical gains were made by the set confined in 

 the pen. (Utah B. 70.) 



Ventilation. The Boar's permanent quarters should be a clean, 

 dry, warm, well-lighted, and well-ventilated pen, 10 or 12 feet square, 



