314 Extracts from the Jonrnals. [Oct., 



To speak seriously, there is, perhaps, no animal in a dorae^'ic 

 point of view more valuable than the pig, and after a life sp? 

 in quietude and contentment in a space of ground many animi 

 would pine and die in, his whole carcase, even those portions 

 which in other farm produce are thrown away or thought little 

 of, are all rejoiced in as luxuries, and then his jolly sides form the 

 finest and best pieces of furniture in the dwellings of a large por- 

 tion of the inhabitants of this happy land. 



There is in the economy of raising and feeding pigs a vast im- 

 provement required in practical management. The usual con- 

 struction of the sty is bad, commonly placed so as to fill up some 

 vacant corner, often in a situation where the eaves of some higher 

 buildings drip into it; this with imperfect drainage from the sty, 

 and the dung kept for days, sometimes weeks inside this place of 

 confinement, render these dens any thing but what the animal re- 

 quires. 



It is the management of breeding that is most defective, there 

 being generally no system, no order or regularity attempted. 

 The sow is put lo the boar at all seasons of the year, and the pro- 

 geny often come into the world untimely. The productions of 

 this animal might be regulated with periodical exactness, which 

 would be beneficial to the stock, and advantageous to the feeder 

 and breeder. 



Suppose a row of sties, one sow in each, for they should be 

 constructed small. We will begin the year in November. The 

 boar may be put to each sow during the month (probably during 

 the latter half of the month), the period of gestation will end in 

 March, early in the month ; the season is then favorable for the 

 growing progeny. After an interval of 10 weeks (a sufficient 

 S'lace of time, and longer than is required for the litter to get 

 away), the boar is again put to the sow at the end of May; this 

 second litter will fall in the next September (a good and seasona- 

 ble period), and the young get away the following November, to 

 follow out the system for another year. The advantages here 

 are, the seasonable periods of gestation, and the growth of the 

 young; the uniformity of coming in together affording a saving of 

 time and labor and attendance. The food should be prepared for 

 the different stages of the sow's requirements; in the early part of 

 her time turneps, Swedes, grains, &c., for the November period; 

 and green vetches, or any ockls and ends of growing produce, for 

 May and some following weeks. More generous food is required 

 as the time of farrowing approaches; and good living, such as 

 oatmeal, pollard, &c., when the young require nourishment. 



The most remarkable contrast between this animal and the 

 sheep, cow, &c., is in the produce of its young, for while the lat- 

 ter are confined to one or two, except in rare cases, the former 



