1846.] On the Management of Pigs. 315 



averages when full grown not less than ten or twelve, often more. 

 If, therefore, number be of value, the intrinsic worth of this animal 

 is very superior to other breeding stock. 



It is a common practice, but a mistaken notion as to the profit- 

 able advantage of the system, to let a young sow have but one 

 litter, and then being fattened she is of the same age as those 

 generally killed for bacon, and quite equal to them; this is true, 

 but for the first litter, on account of her age, the produce is small 

 in number; it is only upon arriving at mature age that the proli- 

 fic powers of this creature are shown, and that too for a series of 

 years; being then not equal in quality as bacon to a younger ani- 

 mal, but fully making up for loss in quality by size. 



The aptitude to fatten is a marked peculiarity in this branch of 

 stock, and to secure its speedy and effectual attainment, it is ne- 

 cessary to provide dry lodging — the advantages of a well-drain- 

 ed sty can only be known from practical experience; the habit of 

 the animal, in the excrements being found- in one spot, generally 

 the lowest ground, plainly indicate that nature intended him to be 

 cleanly to thrive, and thrive he will to a degree under such cir- 

 cumstances calculated to content and delight his feeder. 



Perhaps one of the most interesting scenes in rural life is the 

 working man's care of, and attention to, his pig and his sty. It 

 is only in the Irish cabin that our hero is the principal member in 

 the family circle, and takes his meals as such; with the English 

 cottager he is kept in his proper station in life, and with consist- 

 ent treatment. To keep a pig is to this man a point of distinc- 

 tion to arrive at in his sphere, it is the line of demarcation be- 

 tween the industrious peasant and the poor laborer between po- 

 verty and daily bread: the possession of the treasure is to him a 

 rise in the affairs of life, it has a cheering influence upon the in- 

 mates of the cottage circle, and a commanding influence in his 

 own private circle of friends. And when some kind neighbor 

 leaning over the sty, asks how the pig goes on — before any in- 

 quiries are made after the family — the self-satisfied response of 

 " Why, he's thriving" — displays a fervency of good feeling and 

 of thankfulness. Long may thy hardy sons of toil, oh, happy 

 England! possess this time-revered reward of their honest labors. 



There is no doubt but that the object here descanted upon is 

 one of the most valuable productions in agricultural affairs. As 

 food it is a longer relished article, and a more general diet in this 

 country than any other animal food, and yet the creatuie itself, 

 like other useful dredges, is not looked upon by the million in a 

 respectable comparison with his brethren of the yard and the fold; 

 although he may be treated contemptuously while living, yet the 

 most fastidious fancier of his vulgarity will condescend to partake 

 of his dried haunches, and will, like the over-scrupulous Maho- 

 medans, at length " eat up the hog." — Jlgricultural Gazette. 



