MANAGEMENT OF THOROUGH-BRED PIGS. 21 1 



arrives, rub him dry with a little soft straw, and put him 

 to the teats, under the blanket. Be careful, however, not 

 to break the cord too close to the navel, or it may cause 

 blood to flow, and thus weaken the pig. If the sow has 

 been well and properly fed, and is in vigorous condition, 

 the pigs will be strong, and will take hold of the teats in 

 a few minutes. When this is the case, little danger of 

 loss is to be apprehended. If any of the pigs are weak, 

 it often requires considerable care and attention to save 

 them. The great point is to prevent them from becoming 

 chilled and to get them to suck. It is here that the pre- 

 vious petting of the sow and handling of her teats prove 

 useful. You can hold the pig to the teat, and press out 

 some milk with the thumb and finger. It is said that 

 the teats, towards the forelegs, afford the richest milk, 

 and that, as each pig is believed to always keep the 

 teat he first takes possession of, it is well to put the 

 weaker pigs to the forward teats. We cannot speak 

 from experience as to the advantage of this method. In 

 the case of thorough-bred pigs, it will pay to have a man 

 watch the sow the first night, to see that she does not lie 

 on any of the little ones. If the pigs are strong, there 

 will be comparatively little danger after the first night ; 

 but we have known a sow to lie on a weak pig and crush 

 it to death when eight or ten days old, and when all 

 danger was supposed to be passed. We once had a sow 

 lie on a sick pig, that was large enough to wean, and hurt 

 it so much that it died in a few hours. If the pigs are 

 strong, it is an easy matter to raise them ; but if not, 

 great care will be required. It is, therefore, in all respects, 

 very desirable to have the pigs come strong and healthy, 

 and this is usually the case when the sow and boar are 

 healthy, and are descended from a healthy stock, and 

 when the sow herself is, and always has been, well and 

 properly fed, and has had plenty of fresh air and exer- 

 cise, with access to charcoal, ashes, and pure water. 



