34 



off the two halves alternately once in about ten days. This must be left 

 out of the feed some three weeks before killing time. Mud holes and 

 wallows must not be allowed in the jjasture, but a trough of clear, run- 

 ning water, and a shallow tank of water set on a plank platform, into 

 which the pigs can step easily and cool off, are indispensable. This 

 arrangement should be beside a fence, where the waste water can escape. 

 Every pig that goes to pasture must have a ring in his nose, then the 

 perfect pasture will be preserved during the season. An exception to 

 this might be useful where a wood lot has been cut off, and it is desirable 

 to bring the land into tillage. A hundred eight- weeks-old pigs, well 

 cared for, will fix this piece of stump land in an incredibly short space 

 of time. 



Shelter. 



An important item is shelter, and this must be perfect and very com- 

 fortable under foot. Clean white sand is all right for bedding until the 

 weather gets cold, then add straw. This shelter is best arranged along 

 a fence. Allow the single roof to piti-h towards the fence, so the eaves 

 water cannot contribute towards making a mud hole under foot. This 

 shelter is very inexpensive, and is constructed by setting good posts in 

 the ground every ten feet, eight feet away from the fence. Let the fence 

 be the height for the plate on the back side, and saw the posts off on the 

 front line two feet higher than the back. Spike on the plates, and fit in 

 one midway between the front and back, so the roof will have a good 

 support in the middle. Almost every enterprising farmer cuts some 

 lumber from his place during the winter, and he would scarcely miss 

 that used in this simple structure. I like to have the boards good 

 length, — eleven or twelve feet is none too much, so there will be a good 

 projection front and back. Double board, breaking joints carefully 

 As fast as nailed on, paint with some colored paint, to your taste. Use 

 lead and oil, and you will be pleased at the nicely preserved roof Fifty 

 hogs in a bunch is enough in this part of the country, and all arrange- 

 ments should be for accommodating this number. A shelter seventy 

 feet long will be satisfactory. Do not let the material under foot be- 

 come unsanitary, and be sure to safeguard against disease. 



Something in the way of slop will be fed from day to day, as such 

 material accumulates about the place, and so troughs must be provided. 

 These can be preferably of cast iron, though good ones can he made of 

 two-inch plank. Make a platform some sixty feet long and eight feet 

 wide, flat on the ground, as level as possible, of two-inch plank, leaving 

 an inch space between each plank, and fasten the row of troughs along 

 the middle ; this will last for years if covered with some two feet of old 

 hay every fall, after the hogs have been disposed of Do not feel obliged 

 to feed these hogs unless convenient, and you have the offal to dispose of. 



Influence of Heredity. 



In the pig business, heredity plays an important part, veiy much more 

 so than the majorit}' of farmers are aware of; and perhaps the best and 

 most valuable example of this is noticed in the disposition of the brood 



