CHAP. V. PIG CALENDAR. 1063 



caused by the presence of too much nitrogen in the blood ; if milk is 

 given, the meal with it should be starchy, rather than nitrogenous. If 

 milk is not given, whole wheat may be used. Give the sows warm mashes 

 moderately liquid, and attend carefully to their bedding, seeing that it 

 is dry and warm. Wean the pigs when about six to eight weeks old : 

 the pigs should be operated upon a week before, so that any little check 

 they might receive may be counteracted by the support they derive 

 from their mother's milk. Bring on store pigs progressively into a 

 condition fit for fattening. Every variety of food will be taken by 

 them if they are of a good breed, and their food is properly prepared. 

 Finish off fattening pigs ready for sale; for treatment of others, in 

 progressive stages, see previous months. 



MAY. 



Put the sow to the boar as soon as she will take him, which is 

 generally about three days after her litter is taken from her. She will 

 breed more freely if she is allowed plenty of exercise, and the best 

 place for her is a grass-run, but care must be taken that the fences are 

 good, or she will be a constant source of anxiety. Some sows will 

 occasionally be in heat during the times the pigs are suckling, but it is 

 best not to let them have the boar. Attend to farrow sows and young 

 pigs see last month. Give store pigs, and those put up for fattening, 

 feeds of such green forage as may be sufficiently advanced for cutting ; 

 as tares, rye, &c., with potatoes and roots to form the bulk of their food. 

 Give young pigs, after being weaned, feeds of dairy produce, mixed with 

 meals of various kinds. 



JUNE. 



Attend to sows about to farrow and to those which have litters, 

 details of treatment of which will be found under March. Give store- 

 pigs cut green food in their yards, which should be supplied with abun- 

 dant litter, so as to produce plenty of manure, and keep pushing them 

 on progressively Into good condition, with a view to drafting them into 

 the fattening sties. Provide a small field, near the steading, in which 

 pigs can be put for some hours a day, thereby avoiding exposure to 

 strong sun, which blisters and inflames the hides. Brewers' grains 

 should be stored in pits for winter use during this month, and whenever 

 there is a surplus supply of keep. 



JULY. 



Store pigs can be kept cheaply at this season as there is always a good 

 supply of green food, such as clover, vetches, or cabbage which can be 

 brought into the yards for them. They require a liberal amount of 

 wash in hot weather, and to this can be added meal, which should be 

 regulated by the progress they are desired to make. In-pig sows should 

 be treated in the same manner, allowing, as mentioned before, a good 

 grass-run. A pool, to afford them a chance of wallowing, is a source of 

 comfort to them in hot weather, but shade is essential. 



