CHAPTER VIII. 



BUILDINGS. 



The question of buildings for swine is such a compHcated 

 one that it seems ahnost a hopeless task to attempt a dis- 

 cussion of the subject. Almost every piggery that is built, 

 possesses certain features peculiar to itself and rendered 

 necessary by the circumstances which it is intended to meet. 

 All that can be attempted in a book of this kind is to discuss 

 the most desirable features of a piggery, for the general 

 guidance of those who wish to build, but every man will 

 have to adapt his building to his own peculiar requirements. 



The most important qualities of a piggery are dryness, 

 ventilation, light, freedom from draughts, reasonable 

 warmth, and convenience. 



Dryness. Dryness is closely associated with ventilation, 

 but is also influenced by the material of which the building 

 is constructed. Good results cannot be obtained in a damp 

 pen, and dripping walls are a pretty sure indication of 

 impending disas.ter. Stone and cement walls are very cold 

 in winter and chill the air of the pen, causing it to deposit 

 its moisture upon their surface. In a short time the wall 

 becomes quite wet, and trouble is stored up for the pigs. A 

 hollow cement wall is much less objectionable than a solid 

 one, but there is little doubt that wooden walls constructed 

 in such a way as to form a complete dead air space in the 

 center ate the best. The floors and foundation may be con- 

 structed of cement concrete, and the foundation may rise 

 about two feet above the surface of the floor. This will 

 preserve the wood of which the walls are constructed and is 



