222 THE HOG. 



Yet another source of profit accruing from swine, and we close 

 this chapter. 



The manure proceeding from the pigsty has been often much 

 undervalued, and for this reason, that the litter has been considered 

 as forming the principal portion of it, whereas it constitutes the least 

 valuable part ; and, indeed, where all due attention is paid to the 

 cleanliness of the animals and of their dwellings, it can scarcely be 

 regarded as manure at all, at least by itself. 



It is the urine and the dung which are valuable ; and these are 

 now generally allowed to be peculiarly so, and to constitute no in- 

 considerable items in the profits arising from the keeping of swine. 

 These matters are, from the very nature of the food of the animals, 

 exceedingly rich and oleaginous, and materially benefit cold soils 

 and grass-lands. But, as with most other things relative to swine, 

 this has also been too much neglected ; the animals have been suf- 

 fered to wander about at will, voiding their dung and urine in waste ; 

 or, when confined, the sty perhaps furnished no means of collecting 

 and saving it. We will venture to prophesy that the partial altera- 

 tion of system which is now gradually spreading will speedily lead 

 to amendment in this point also ; and the dung from the piggery 

 will be husbanded with a care little inferior to that bestowed on the 

 fold, stable, or cow-house dung. 



Martin says : " There is another point relative to the hog, which we 

 must not omit to notice. We allude to the value of the solid and 

 liquid manure. This has been, and still is, too much neglected. 

 Nevertheless, this manure is really of importance, being peculiarly 

 adapted for cold soils and grass lands. It should always be collected 

 as carefully as that of the stable or cow-house, and husbanded in 

 the same way. Those who keep extensive piggeries will soon find 

 the advantage of this plan, which, besides the profit arising from 

 the manure itself, will necessitate the keeping of the piggery in a 

 state of cleanliness. A dirty sty or yard is a disgrace to the owner ; 

 it is the source of disease, and it involves the waste of manure of 

 first-rate quality. The cottager who keeps a pig or two will find 

 the utility of this manure in his garden, and, by due attention, he 

 will prevent the litter or bedding of straw from becoming a mass 

 of filth ; thus in two ways effecting a saving." 



