A Modern Farrowing House. 51 



both aides. At customary times we take up wood floors, 

 remove the partitions and clean house. 



"Fig 3, (interior view of pen), shows guard rail support- 

 ed on partition. This leaves the floor surface entirely unob- 

 structed. This is important. We use a wood rail instead 

 of gas pipe, because it is not so cold, and finally we use a 

 "rail" instead of the customary guard board because the 

 rail lets the sun between it and the partition, to the great 

 comfort and health of the little pigs. The bottom edge of 

 this 2 by 4 inch guard rail is 8 inches above the board floor. 

 The bottom of the triangular guard rail support is 9 inches 

 long, so that when the 2 by 4 inch guard is nailed on there 

 is a protecting space for the little pigs of 11 inches. The 

 guard rail at the rear of the pen is attached by its supports 

 permanently to the 2 by 6 inch nail girts. At the front of 

 the pen the guard rails are brought on a slant from the 

 support and attached directly to the partition. This gives 

 a little additional room in front fpr feeding, and does away 

 with sharp corners, especially necessary at entrance to pen. 

 Doors to the pens are 2 feet wide ; heavy hinges, 6 inch butt 

 and 10 inch strap, with bolts and screws, will discourage 

 even the occasional unedTicated and untamed sow. 



"You will observe the hog trough is conspicuous by its 

 absence. Do not use a hog trough in a permanent farrowing 

 bouse. Above all things do not build one in. No amount of 

 care can keep a trough clean inside and outside. We prefer 

 to use galvanized pans. Those we have are 27 by 16 inches 

 and 5 inches deep, a very good size and depth for the sow 

 and her little ones, and when the meal is over the pan is 

 taken out of the pen. 



' ' The alley between the pens is 6 feet 6 inches wide. This 

 is a convenient and comfortable width. The narrow alley 

 is a nuisance, and if built to save either room or money is 

 misplaced economy. The floor of the alley is the bare con- 

 crete and made a little rough by sprinkling when green, 

 so the hogs will not slip. At each end of the alleyway are 

 sliding doors the full width of the alleyway and 6 feet 8 

 inches high. The upper windows are 5 feet, 8 inches by 2 

 feet 5 inches, double sash, each sash with two panes 12 by 30 

 inches. Both sash are hung by weights so they may be 

 raised or lowered, affording splendid ventilation. 



"These large upper windows should never be omitted; 



