1062 THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. BOOK xn. 



may be the case when given in excess, but we have always found that 

 when given moderately, that is, in quantity sufficient merely to flavour 

 the food and take off its natural insipidity, the pigs have always relished 

 the food more keenly, and have at all events appeared to thrive 

 exceedingly well. Another food, if it can be so called, is coals, of 

 which all pigs are exceedingly fond ; they eat them with such avidity 

 as to make it appear that they are essential to the maintenance of their 

 good condition. Cinders are sometimes used, but coals appear to be 

 best, and should be given in smallish pieces, about the size of an egg ; 

 too much should be avoided. Sulphur should be given in occasional 

 small doses to pigs. 



MARCH. 



Make preparation for the farrowing of sows. Have the sty thoroughly 

 cleaned out, and only leave in it a very small quantity of litter or the 

 little pigs may be smothered. The sty must be kept scrupulously sweet 

 and clean whenever young pigs occupy it : it is necessary for all pigs to 

 be clean, but little pigs must have a sweet sty if they are to be kept in 

 good health and steady growth. Keep the sow on thin food at first, but 

 gradually increase its consistency as the young pigs require more milk. 

 Fix a board at the sides of the sty after the manner, of a lean-to or shed 

 roof, leaving a space below it where the young pigs may run, as the sow, 

 especially if large and heavy, is apt to overlay them, crushing them up 

 against the walls, for pigs in lying down prefer to have something solid 

 to bear upon. Equal protection may be afforded to the young pigs by a 

 low rail, about a foot above the ground, and a foot or a foot-and-a-half 

 from the wall of the sty. When the sow is about to farrow, provide the 

 sty with a hamper, into which the young pigs should be put as they are 

 born, and there kept till the labour of the sow is completed ; the pigs 

 must then be returned to the sow. But if there be any wet litter in the 

 sty, it should be removed before the young pigs are put back to the sow, 

 and replaced by a small quantity of dry straw. Watch the sow closely, 

 lest she show a desire to eat her pigs. If the teeth of the newly-born 

 pigs are broken off, it is seldom that the sow attempts to eat her young. 

 But unless the animal shows a disposition to commit the offence, this 

 somewhat barbarous treatment is not to be recommended. The treat- 

 ment of other classes of pigs is the same as that for the last two or 

 three months. 



APRIL. 



Pay particular attention to farrowing sows and their litters. -The 

 latter may receive, with advantage, at the age of twenty days, and for 

 some time after, a separate allowance at least once daily of warm milk 

 thickened with a little meal. Pigs sometimes go " off their feet " if they 

 are too highly fed, so the supply must not be too liberal while they are 

 sucking their mothers. Skim milk must be given sparingly at this 

 time as it is a food rich in nitrogen, and the disease is really paralysis 



