76 SWIKE GEOKGE E. DAY. 



good one, but it practically means only one litter a year ; 

 at any rate, it does not admit of two litters a year. A 

 good sow, properly cared for, should produce two litters a 

 year, and the average farmer will find it more profitable to 

 wean his pigs early enough to permit two litters to be 

 raised. If the young pigs have been taught to eat as des- 

 cribed, and skim milk is available, they may be weaned suc- 

 cessfully when six weeks old. If skim milk is not available, 

 it is better to defer weaning two weeks longer. Skim milk 

 and middlings make about the best food for young pigs at 

 this time. The middlings are better soaked for a few hours 

 before feeding, or, better still, scalded. If fed freshly 

 mixed, they are likely to cause indigestion. Scalding the 

 middlings is especially useful when no skim milk is to be 

 had, as it makes the food more palatable. To scald the mid- 

 dlings, it is best to pour boiling water on them, cover the 

 vessel, and allow to stand several hours, or from one time 

 of feeding until the next. A few finely ground oats added 

 to the middlings, will be found beneficial. If the oats are 

 not very finely ground, it is better to sift out the coarsest 

 hulls. When the pigs are first weaned, they should be fed 

 at least four times a day, being allowed only what they will 

 eat up clean before leaving the trough, and great care should 

 be exercised in keeping the trough clean. When well 

 started, they may be changed to three feeds a day. 



When the pigs are three months old, a little ground barley, 

 or small quantities of other grain may be added to the 

 ration. At first, the barley, or other grain, should constitute 

 not more than one-fifth of the total ration ; and it can be 

 gradually increased as desired. Barley is one of the verv 

 best kinds of grain upon which to start young pigs, though 

 other grains may be used. The almost exclusive use of 

 corn, cannot be too strongly condemned, as corn is a poor 

 bone and muscle former. It is important to teach young 

 pigs to eat a few roots as early as possible ; or, if it is too 

 late in the spring for roots, some form of green food should 

 be -supplied every day. 



