26 The Care of Animals 



the morning, and, if possible, spread in the sun where 

 it can be thoroughly dried; this not onh- purities the 

 bedding but puts it out of the way while the stall 

 is being thoroughly scraped and aired. 



CARE OF SWINE 



In the rearing of swine it is important that they be 

 not closely confined, except when they are being fattened 

 for the market. If possible they should be allowed 

 a large range, with much green food. Swine belong 

 to the class which is known as omnivorous animals, 

 because of the great variety of food, both animal and 

 vegetable, that they eat. As a rule, swine do not thrive 

 well when closely confined, or when fed largely on 

 one kind of food. They may increase in flesh, but their 

 systems seem weakened and predisposed to disease. 

 Swine should be changed frequently from pasture to 

 pasture, and the runs should be so arranged that the 

 animals have plenty of clean water to drink. In sum- 

 mer they should have some protection against the 

 sun. In winter it is necessary to give them protection 

 against cold, as the hair and bristles are a very poor 

 protection. 



If allowed access to straw-stacks swine will burrow 

 into the straw and secure protection in this way, but 

 such stacks should be destroyed at the end of each 

 season. It is still better if the straw is changed once 

 or twice during the winter. When special pens are 

 built for swine, they should be so arranged that they 

 can be easily and thoroughly cleaned. Cement answers 



