56 A MANUAL ON THE HOG. 



when three or four weeks old, and liberal feeding- will ren- 

 de7 weaning more easy and less injurious to the pigs, and 

 less trying to the sow. If well fed, the pigs may be weaned 

 when seven or eight weeks old. If the sow continues in 

 good flesh and vigor, it may be deferred a few weeks lon- 

 ger, unless it will too much delay the time for taking the 

 boar. 



For some days after weaning, the sow should be kept 

 on very light diet, to reduce the flow of milk and avoid 

 risk of injury. She should then be highly fed until she 

 takes the boar, after which ordinary treatment will answer. 

 Only a few days of high feeding will generally suffice to 

 bring the sow in condition to receive the boar. 

 TREATMENT OF PIGS. 



Success in raising hogs depends, in a great measure, upon 

 the attention given pigs for the first few months of their 

 existence, and if proper Attention is given them, it may be 

 stated as a maxim that increase of pigs is increase of pork. 

 The future usefulness of every animal, man included, de- 

 pends, in an eminent degree, upon the treatment received 

 while young, and in none more than in the pig. 



Pigs that are allowed to become poor or diseased seldom 

 so entirely recover as to attain equal development with 

 those that receive no check in growth or health during 

 this formative period, 



It is, therefore, of prime importance to keep pigs, from 

 their birth, in a thriving, healthy condition. As soon as 

 they can be induced to eat, they should be provided with 

 a shallow trough in the sow's pen, but inaccessible to her, 

 to which they can resort at pleasure. Commence by 

 giving them a small quantity of milk several times a day, 

 being careful to feed at regular hours, so that they will ex- 

 pect it at those hours, and sleep quietly during the inter- 

 vals. Increase the quantity, and ^ive a little grain as they 

 grow older, being careful to clean out the trough before 

 each feeding. 



