442 



SWl 



3 Wi 



. SWARTH, or SWATH, a line 

 or row or grass, or corn, &;c. cut 

 down bj the mower. 



The double swarlh is where the 

 grass of two swarths is thrown to- 

 g»4her in mowing. It saves a bt- 

 tle labour in raking to make the 

 double swartb the centre of a win- 

 drow. But when the crop is thin, 

 this is an object unworthy of atten- 

 tion. 



SWINE, the name of a species 

 of tauie quadruped animals, well 

 known in all countries. 



Somen is the old English plural 

 of soxo, whence the name swine, 

 which custom has applied to the 

 whole species of hogs. 



The keeping of swine is of es- 

 sential advantage to the husband- 

 man ; because they feed much 

 upon things, which would other- 

 wise be of no considerable service 

 to him. The roads, and commons, 

 in the farming towns of this coun- 

 try, aiford swine, excepting in win- 

 ter, the greatest part of their scan- 

 ty living. For they feed heartily, 

 not only on grass, but many sorts 

 of weeds, the tops and roots of fern, 

 the roots of several kinds of aqua- 

 tic plants, &c. They pick up 

 grain and seeds that are necessarily 

 scattered about the barn and out 

 houses, besides eating worms and 

 many kinds of insects. 



Besides, the farmer's house af- 

 fords many things which contribute 

 to their support, which would 

 otherwise be lost, such as whey, 

 sour skimmed milk, and butter 

 milk, the washing of tubs and dish- 

 es ; animal and vegetable food that 

 has accidentally got corrupted, de- 

 cayed and rotten fruit, the offal of 



beasts, fowls and fish, and the 

 grounds of cider, beer and other li- 

 quors. 



As this animal is much disposed 

 and adapted to do mischief, those 

 that are permitted to go at large, 

 should be well yoked, that they 

 may not break through fences. 

 And whether they go at large or in 

 pastures, they should always be 

 ringed in the nose, to prevent their 

 tearing up the ground too much, in 

 search of roots. When kept in pens, 

 they need ringing also, that they 

 may live the more quietly together, 

 and not tear and wound each other. 



Their running at large is, per- 

 haps, not advisable, unless it be in 

 wide roads, or in places where 

 there is a large outlet for them ; 

 or where grass, brakes, acorns, or 

 nuts of be(>ch, chesnut, or hickory, 

 are not to be found in plenty. For 

 they are exposed to the more acci- 

 dents ; and in some of our settle- 

 ments, which border on the wilder- 

 ness, the bears are apt to catch 

 them. And the most of our pub- 

 lic roads are so much frequented by 

 other hungry beasts, that the swine 

 can have but little advantage from 

 the grass. 



But in case of necessity, when 

 the farmer happens to have no 

 suitable pasture for his swine, let 

 the wash from the house be regu- 

 larly given them, morning and ev- 

 ening, to prevent their wandering 

 away too far from home. This 

 will induce them always to lodge 

 at home, especially if they have a 

 good sty to receive them in inclem- 

 ent weather ; by means of which 

 they will be the less in danger of 

 being lost, or of straying too far 

 from home. 



