22 



ing the object are as numerous and various as the means, circum- 

 stances, and appliances of individuals. 



It would obviously be out of place to attempt a general survey of 

 this subject, and I shall confine myself to a few suggestions, the 

 importance of which has been impressed upon me by my own expe- 

 rience and observation. 



And first I would say " Provide your swine, especially in cold 

 weather, with warm, snug sleeping places." The hardiest animals 

 including man, require conditions of much greater warmth during 

 periods of rest, than while the circulation is quickened by exercise. 

 The pig is no exception to this rule ; and if left to himself will ex- 

 cavate a den or avail himself of a hole in a tree, where he can be 

 protected from draughts, and where his own exhalations will favor- 

 ably affect the temperature of the apartment. 



Many years ago I had a litter of Yorkshire pigs farrowed about 

 the beginning of November, in a roomy pen in one corner of a large, 

 new, tight shed. The month of November and the first half of Decem- 

 ber were comparatively warm, and the little pigs throve fine-ly till 

 they were six weeks old, when they were weaned. Then the cold 

 weather came on, and in spite of all we could do in furnishing them 

 abundant food and bedding, they grew less instead of bigger. One 

 January night, with the thermometer about zero, I was going my 

 final I'ounds, when 1 found the eight scurv}- little wretches l3'ing 

 squealing in their dry straw and fighting with what little strength 

 they had for the bottom place in the heap. With little hope of bene- 

 fitting them but because I could not go to bed and leave them squeal- 

 ing, 1 got a large packing box, half filled it with straw, pitched the 

 little beasts in, and splitting out a small crack for air, nailed the lid 

 on and left them. In the morning they were snoring comfortably' and 

 after a warm breakfast returned eagerly to their snug quarters, ro 

 which I had made them a small entrance. From that time they 

 began to improve, and instead of misery it was a delight to watch 

 their habits and progress. On a bitter cold morning they would 

 come out of their box all steaming, stretch themselves, eat their 

 breakfast and return to bed, without the slightest indication of suf- 

 fering. They soon lost their scurvy mangy look, and instead of 

 dying as they were in a fair way to have done in a fortnight, they 

 became as healthy and thrifty pigs as I ever saw. 



In this case a few feet of cheap boards were worth many times as 

 many pounds of pork ; and I have since then seen numberless instances 



