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 
