184 FA KM APPLIANCES. 



A "Marker," shown in figure 220, is made of a piece 

 of two by four inch joist, about nine feet long, having 

 teeth eighteen inches apart, and a handle the length of a 

 rake-handle. The teeth are eight inches long, made of 

 white oak, driven through holes bored in the joist for the 

 purpose. The implement is made similar to a common 

 rake with teeth far apart, and the whole made stronger 

 to stand harder usage, by having stays running from the 

 handle to the head, which holds the teeth. 



CHAPTER X. 



APPLIANCES FOR SLAUGHTERING HOGS AND CURING 

 THE MEAT. 



STICKING HOGS. 



The usual method of killing hogs on the farm is to 

 thrust a sticking knife into the throat, severing the large 

 veins. It requires experience, nerve, and skill to do this 

 properly. The hog should be thrown on its back, and 

 held there by an assistant, while the operator gives the 

 fatal thrust. With a keen double-edged knife in his 

 right hand, he feels with his left for the proper place to 

 insert the knife. Having found it, he sticks in the knife, 

 aiming directly toward the base of the tail. If properly 

 done, the large veins are severed, and the hog soon bleeds 

 to death. If the knife veers to either side, a gash is 

 made in one shoulder, the death is slow and painful, and 

 the blood settles in the flesh. 



A BETTEE WAY. 



With a view to avoiding all mishaps, saving pain, and 

 leaving the operator free to sever the veins without em- 

 barrassment from the squealing and struggling victim, the 



