SWINE MANAGEMENT 151 



be confined to shelter, but it should be so placed that 

 they can make use of it at will. Shelter, shade and run- 

 ning water are the most desirable adjuncts to any swine- 

 growing plant and are essential to a proper foundation. 

 All of these except the shelter may be natural. Under 

 the most modern system of pork production a portable 

 type of shelter is generally advisable, but there are condi- 

 tions under which a permanent or stationary hog house 

 is to be recommended. As a rule, the extent to which 

 swine can be grown with grazing crops and the extent 

 to which attention is paid to breeding rather than pork 

 production determine the type of shelter that is best 

 suited. 



Houses and inclosures. — Serviceability is all important, 

 and many have spent large sums in making shelters for 

 swine that were not serviceable and that were not suited 

 to the conditions. The matter of serviceability is largely 

 a matter of design, and is dependent on soil, climatic and 

 other conditions. Accessibility must be taken into con- 

 sideration. This is especially applicable in the case of a 

 permanent shelter or inclosure. 



Materials used in construction. — Brick, cement and 

 other heavy materials can be used only in the larger sta- 

 tionary houses, while practically all portable houses are 

 made of wood. Most of the material that should be used 

 for hog houses will be wood, on account of its lightness 

 and cheapness. Over most of the South this is the proper 

 building material to use, and in most cases rough lumber 

 will be found quite good enough. 



Sunlight. — Sunlight is one of the best germicides we 

 have, and with ample sunlight the dangers from disease 



