242 HAEEIS ON THE PIG. 



" The pigs usually begin to eat along with the mother when about 

 three weeks old, but may be learnt much younger if a little warm milk 

 be given to them two or three times a day, while the sow is removed 

 from them for a few minutes. About the time they begin to eat, they 

 frequently suffer from diarrhoea, which, if it continue for any length of 

 time, will weaken them very much. The disorder will sometimes be 

 caused by allowing the mother to eat grass or other green food when 

 turned out, or even by a change from one kind of meat to another, for 

 which reason we avoid as far as we can any change of food during the 

 time they are suckling, and continue the same to the young after they 

 are weaned. And as it is very difficult as well as dangerous to administer 

 medicine to them by force, we do not attempt to relieve them by that 

 means, neither can they be induced to take it if mixed with their food, 

 for they will not eat at such times, but depend entirely on the teat, for 

 which reasons we diet the mother carefully, and allow as much small 

 coal as she will eat, throwing a shovelful upon the bed, that the young 

 ones may eat a little if they like ; we also strew the floor with sawdust 

 to prevent bad smells, keeping them warm, and giving as much fresh air 

 as possible. If the purging continues, we change them to a fresh sty, 

 taking care that it is dry and warm, and well aired. If young pigs can 

 be allowed a run out with the mother for half an hour in the morning 

 and evening, they will grow all the faster for it ; but the middle of the 

 day, when the sun is hot, should be avoided, for if their backs get much 

 scorched it will retard their growth for a while. 



"All such as are not required for breeding purposes, should be cas- 

 trated at from four to five weeks old, that they may recover before they 

 are weaned. There are two ways of doing most things, and the best 

 way is generally the easier, and always to be preferred, and in catching 

 young pigs for castration, or any other purpose, great care should be 

 used, as they are easily lamed, and having covered the window and closed 

 the door to exclude the light, the operator should allow them to settle 

 quietly in a corner, and taking the right hind leg with his right hand, 

 then with his left hand he should lay firmly hold of the same leg, above 

 the hough joint, and quickly passing his right hand forward, and under 

 the chest, lay firmly hold of the left fore leg, and raise the pig with his 

 right hand, using as little force as possible on the hind legs, and never 

 hold them up by the heels, as the intestines are liable to get twisted if 

 held in that position. 



" We usually wean at from seven to ten weeks old, and separate the 

 boars from the sows soon after. We seldom keep more than five or six 

 together in the same sty, and as they grow larger, we reduce the num- 

 ber, in proportion to the size of the sty. 



"The feeder commences in the morning about seven o'clock, begin- 

 ning at one end, and regulating the food according to circumstances, 

 and as he goes on, he rouses every pig up, and sees that all come to take 

 their breakfast ; should any refuse he reports the case ; and having fin- 

 ished feeding he takes his barrow, fork, shovel, and besom, and proceeds 



