SWINE RAISING 



189 



HOG THRIFT Compared with other farm animals, hogs are an easy 

 investment. Compared with other farm animals their 

 rate of increase is enormous. Compared with other farm animals, they 

 make the most economical use of feed, pound for pound of product. Every 

 farmer should have at least a sow and pigs. If he owns cattle he should 

 have a proper number of swine to follow the cattle. Don't waste anything 

 the hogs will eat with profit. The hog is the poor man's friend the rich 

 man's benefactor. 



It seems pretty safe to say the hog has paid off more mortgages than 

 any animal on the farm man included. 



Piling up Profits 



RIGHT CARE But of course the first and most important thing in rais- 

 ing hogs successfully is to have the right start good 

 stock. Then with right stock, to give the right kind of care. 



Hogs should not be too closely confined, except at the time of fattening. 

 They require exercise, as much as any animal, to keep in good condition, 

 i. e., able to make thrifty gains. One reason for the great gains on pasturage 

 of swine is the abundant exercise. Fall pigs are usually greatly handi- 

 capped in development by this lack of exercise. Another handicap to the 

 fall pig is water, for if the water is cold he will not use as much as is 

 necessary for best development. Without exercise pigs cannot be kept in 

 healthy condition respiratory and digestive functions won't go on properly 

 without it. Give plenty of range. 



In swine the lungs have practically all the work of respiration, the skin 

 not having any share in that function. It is true there is a sort of breathing 

 "tube" which runs down through the fore feet, very much as the hollow 

 bone in the wing feather of the fowl, which helps in breathing. 



THE HOG PEN Pens should be arranged so they can be cleaned up 

 easily. Cement floors are good for the outer pens; 



but for sleeping quarters well-matched boards make the best floor, thickly 

 covered with clean straw. Leave the pigs on a cement floor and they soon 

 become lame and crippled from enlarged joints. 



The straw must be changed frequently, as for other animals. Be sure 

 all quarters are disinfected regularly. Whitewash as a precaution. On 



