INTRODUCTION. 17 



should be allowed to dig at pleasure, as they will 

 find material in the ground useful for their health. 

 If they should show signs of getting too fat, cut 

 down their feed; on the other hand, if they are los- 

 ing flesh, feed a little more. They should have a 

 shelter from the sun in summer and a comfortable 

 place to sleep in at night in the winter. They 

 should have green clover in summer and dry clover 

 hay in winter. Give them plenty of fresh water 

 and a little salt mixed with their food. Pigs treat- 

 ed in this way will seldom have any ailment. 

 Fifth, that having strong, healthy, young pigs to 

 begin with it is necessary to feed them on mate- 

 rials that will keep up vigor and at the same time 

 produce rapid growth. This can be accomplished 

 by feeding them on ground oats or peas mixed 

 with bran, and turning into a clover field if possi- 

 ble; if not, clover should be cut and brought to 

 them. Milk of all kinds is useful. They should 

 have a field to roam in, and after they are old 

 enough the boars should be separated from the 

 sows. The above food contains all the elements 

 necessary for the growth and development of the 

 pig. The bran, shell of the oats and the clover 

 contain a large percentage of cellulose, and al- 

 though the pig cannot digest more than half of 

 this material, yet it is v^ery useful, as it contains 

 just what is needed to assist in forming the tissues 

 of the body. Pigs fed as above will have all parts 

 of their body well nourished and in a state of vigor 

 to perform all the functions required of them to 

 fortify the body against at least ordinary diseases. 



