210 HARRIS ON THE PIG. 



ble valuo, we would particularly urge that every thin or be 

 provided in advance that can insure their safety. We have 

 lost a litter of ten pigs that, at ten weeks old, would 

 have brought us two hundred dollars, simply from neg- 

 lecting to have the pen properly protected beforehand 

 against a severe storm which occurred the night the sow 

 farrowed. Much is said about sows eating their young, 

 but where one pig is lost in this way, a hundred die from 

 damp pens and neglect. 



When the sow is shut up by herself in the pen, if she 

 is uneasy, it is well to let her out for an hour or so during 

 the forenoon, letting her in again for her noon meal, and 

 in the course of an hour or so, let her out again, putting 

 her back at feeding time for the night. In this way she 

 will soon become accustomed to the pen. It not un fre- 

 quently happens that the sow, at this period, is constipa- 

 ted ; and if this is the case, she should be fed on more suc- 

 culent, and less concentrated, food. We know of nothing 

 better than bran mashes, either alone, or mixed up with 

 linseed tea. If this does not relieve the trouble, give an 

 injection of warm water, with a little soap in it. In ob- 

 stinate cases, put an ounce of Epsom, or two ounces of 

 Glauber's salt in the injection. This is generally better 

 than giving her medicine, even if she would eat it in her 

 food, which she will seldom do. It is not safe to attempt 

 to drench a sow at this period. A careful attention to the 

 diet, with sufficient exercise, will almost always prevent 

 this trouble. 



Our own sows are so quiet that we can do anything 

 with them. And before they farrow, we are in the habit 

 of handling them, rubbing their teats, and getting them 

 thoroughly accustomed to our presence in the pen. If all 

 goes right, it is best to let the sow alone; and, in all 

 cases, it is better to err in giving too little attention or 

 assistance than too much. If the weather is very cold, 

 throw a blanket over the sow ; and as soon as a little pig 



