SWINE GEORGE E. DAY. 73 



puny pigs the next time. The reason is not difficult to find. 

 To produce a large, vigorous litter, the sow must be strong 

 and full of vitality at the time of service. 



In feeding the breeding sow during the period of gesta- 

 tion, the feeder should aim to keep her in good, strong condi- 

 tion without having her become extremely fat. Many farm- 

 ers go to the other extreme, and keep their sows thin ; and 

 the thin sow will either not do justice to her pigs, or will 

 become a mere wreck herself during the time she is nursing 

 her litter — in fact, the chances are that both these things 

 will happen. A sow may be kept in fairly high condition 

 and still produce satisfactorily, provided she takes plenty of 

 exercise. 



When on good pasture, sows require very little meal. 

 In this matter the feeder must be governed by the condi- 

 tion of the sows, and if he finds that they are falling off in 

 condition, it will pay him to increase the feed. Ground 

 oats, mixed with wheat bran or middlings, make a good 

 ration for sows. It is well to avoid the heavier and more 

 heating kinds of grain, especially during hot weather. In 

 cold weather, when the sows take a good deal of outdoor 

 exercise, more heating foods, such as corn, peas, or barley, 

 may be used more freely, but always in moderation. In 

 those sections where corn is abundant and cheap, there is a 

 temptation to use it almost exclusively, a practice which 

 cannot produce the best results. Wheat bran and middlings 

 are available in nearly every district, and will be found profit- 

 able to mix with corn for breeding sows. The liberal use of 

 pasture or green feed in summer, and of roots and clover 

 or alfalfa hay in winter, as described under the feeding of 

 the boar, is always in order, and will help to ameliorate the 

 injurious effects of corn feeding. When sows are fed 

 outdoors in cold weather, it is better to feed the meal dry. 

 They will require very little water outside of that supplied 

 by the roots. If roots are not available, water must be sup- 

 plied, and the meal may be soaked before feeding if desired. 



