BREEDS OF SWINE 511 



with a yard adjoining where sows may be brought for service. This 

 yard should be large enough to give him some exercise during the 

 breeding season, when it may be inconvenient to allow him the run 

 of the pasture. Adjoining the yard should be the boar's pasture, 

 from one-half acre to an acre in extent, consisting of clover, alfalfa, 

 or good pasture grasses that thrive in the locality. (F. B. 205.) 



It is very important to provide means for ventilation in the pig- 

 gery to prevent the accumulation of dampness on the walls which 

 cause rheumatism, bronchitis, and often pneumonia. Provision for 

 ventilation is more necessary in a cold climate than in warmer cli- 

 mates, because the moisture collects readily on the walls, due to the 

 cold weather. (N. D. B. 83.) 



A little pig loves sunshine and needs it almost as much as he 

 needs food. No piggery is fit for the purpose unless it admits direct 

 sunshine onto the floor of every pen at the time the pigs are farrowed, 

 furnishes plenty of fresh air, and provides for exercise in the open 

 air. Dryness, sunshine, warmth, fresh air, freedom from drafts, and 

 exercise are of primary importance in raising pigs. These secured, 

 the 'battle is half won. In putting up buildings the six requirements 

 just mentioned must be kept constantly in mind; not one can be 

 neglected. (F. B. 438.) 



One of the first requisites for success with hogs is a shelter where 

 young pigs can be kept warm and well supplied with sunshine and 

 fresh air. A little pig takes cold very easily and recovers slowly if 

 at all. To prevent taking cold he must be kept dry, warm, away 

 from drafts, and provided with fresh air. (F. B. 438.) 



It is not easy to secure a good supply of fresh air and prevent 

 all drafts from striking the pigs. There are, however, several quite 

 satisfactory methods of ventilation in use. The commonest one is 

 to make some of the windows so they will either slide or swing on 

 hinges. The box ventilators are very satisfactory. The cloth curtain 

 window also does good work. 



Whitewashing. Whitewashing the inside of the house is an 

 excellent practice. Besides going a long way toward disinfecting, it 

 increases the light materially. When the sunshine strikes a white- 

 washed wall, much of it is reflected to the floor and does a great deal 

 of good. Dark houses which must be used will be much improved 

 by whitewashing. (F. B. 438.) 



Importance of Sanitation. The greatest drawbacks to the hog 

 industry in this country are the losses through hog cholera and swino 

 plague, and through tuberculosis, as well as by parasites, especially of 

 young pigs. 



Hog Cholera and Swine Plague are so similar as to be identical 

 for practical purposes. They are caused only by disease germs or 

 bacteria, carried from one animal to another, and can best be pre- 

 vented by thorough disinfection and cleanliness. Tuberculosis is 

 more difficult to detect, and is slow in developing. It is frequently 

 present when hogs are fed on dairy products, or run after cattle. 

 (F. B. 205.) Dipping and quarantine should be applied to every 

 hog or pig that is brought to the farm, as it will often prevent serious 



