THE SOW 231 



feeding the boar. Skim-milk is also excellent, but is not always 

 available for sows. 



In summer, a pasture field will furnish the bulky part of 

 the ration, and, if sows are in good condition to start with and 

 are given a good pasture, they will get along very well without 

 other feed for two or three months. They should be given a 

 little meal for several weeks before farrowing, to accustom them 

 to its use, and render the change less violent when they are 

 taken into the pens. With regard to the quantity of meal, the 

 feeder must be guided entirely by the condition of the sows. 



Meal may be fed either wet or dry. When roots are fed, 

 a good plan is to mix the dry meal with pulped roots, though 

 the feeder has wide latitude in regard to the methods he may 

 see fit to follow. 



In cold weather, when "sows are fed out-doors, very little 

 water should be used in mixing their feed. It will be found 

 better to furnish them with water separately, should they 

 require it. If they are fed roots, they will take very little 

 water in cold weather. It should be seen to, however, that 

 they have water when they need it, and in hot weather an 

 abundant supply of fresh water is very important. 



A record should be kept of the date of service of each sow, 

 so that the date of farrowing will be known in advance, and 

 due precaution taken. A week or two before farrowing, the sow 

 should be placed in the farrowing pen, so as to become 

 accustomed to her surroundings and changed conditions before 

 the pigs are born. 



Constipation is the bane of the swine breeder, and if the 

 sow becomes constipated before she farrows, the chances are 

 that she will lose her pigs, and possibly her own life. Con- 

 stipation, therefore, is one of the main things to be guarded 

 against at this time. When it once occurs, very little can be 

 done to overcome it and save the pigs, so that it is almost 



