SWINB. 417 



that she may store up food to feed the coming generation. Then, if she 

 is allowed a chance to exercise and good, dry quarters to nest in, barring 

 accidents, she will bring forth a good litter of strong pigs. As the time 

 of farrowing draws near she should be separated from others and given 

 a litter of short rye or wheat straw. Let her be kept as quiet as possible, 

 and if she has been rightly handled she will be gentle and allow any at- 

 tention. that is necessary. , Give her sparingly of food for a few days and 

 increase her ration as you think the demands of her sucklers require. 

 Have the trough long enough so that the pigs can learn to eat. When 

 the pigs are four or five weeks old have, if possible, a pen Vv'here they 

 alone have access, and then give them what feed they will eat. At two 

 months of age wean them, and if the sow is kept for breeding, let her 

 again mate, which she will do within a week. Now, when the pigs are 

 weaned is the time to be careful. They should be fed at least five times 

 a day on a well-balanced ration, and not much at once, or their stomachs 

 will become distended and indigestion (which will stunt them) will be 

 apt to follow. They should have a nice pasture or orchard to run in, as 

 grass and apples will keep them growing and healthy. 



A hog's stomach being very nearly like a man's; in fact, an old maid 

 once said to her class in physiology ' the internal organs of a hog are the 

 nearest like a human being of any dumb brute, unless it be a man. ' That 

 is the reason they do not agree any better, perhaps. For a single food, 

 give skimmed milk; next, wheat middlings. The best pigs can be raised 

 by feeding on wheat bran, corn meal, oil meal and skimmed milk, with 

 a run in pasture and orchard. But the most profit comes to him who 

 feeds the by-products of the farm in connection with a grain ration. 

 Small potatoes, windfall apples, even pumpkins will help put flesh on the 

 pigs. Do not feed much whole grain to a pig, as his teeth soon get sore 

 and it passes the stomach without being digested. But give him just 

 enough to clean his teeth after his soft feed. Never throw his feed in 

 the dirt, for although a hog needs fresh dirt, yet let them take it sepa- 

 rate. Be careful not to overfeed, as it will derange the stomach and the 

 pig becomes restless, rooting and eating stones, and there will be a loss 

 of feed as well as a loss of gain in the weight of the pig. Always make 

 it a rule to have the pig look for more without squealing for it. This 

 only can be done by watching them eat occasionally. To feed a pig all 

 he will eat at any great length of time is always attended with a loss. 

 The ocean steamer to cross the Atlantic a day quicker than the usual 

 time will consume twice the amount of coal besides the extra wear on 



