206 SOUTHERN PORK PRODUCTION 



an opportunity at infection. One of the most neglected 

 sources of infection is the barnyard manure pile. Dirty 

 and filthy lots with stagnant water, old mud wallows 

 and outhouses are frequent sources of infection and dis- 

 ease germ breeding grounds. 



Hog wallows. — A clean wallow is a source of comfort 

 and health to the hog. The average farm hog wallow 

 is, however, not kept clean, and instead of being a source 

 of health they often become a breeding and distributing 

 place for disease germs. A good concrete hog wallow 

 can be kept clean and a little kerosene or coal tar dip 

 added to the water occasionally will materially assist in 

 killing the lice. 



Dipping vats. — A very practical means contributing 

 to the general health of the swine herd is the dipping vat. 

 It consists essentially in a tank of special design into 

 which a dipping solution is placed and through which 

 the hogs are driven. Where feasible a dipping vat made 

 of concrete is most satisfactor}^. The shape of the vat 

 should be such that a hog falls into it at one end and 

 walks out at the other. The arrangement of the pens, 

 chutes, drain pipes and dripping boards are dependent 

 on local conditions. The vat should be deep enough that 

 the hog will be completely submerged when he first falls 

 in. Experience in various instances has resulted in a 

 general agreement as to the best size for a dipping vat. 

 An inside top length of 8 feet, top width of 24 inches, and 

 bottom width of 20 inches are very good dimensions. The 

 end of the vat where the hog enters should be perpen- 

 dicular, and the end where he walks out should be slant- 

 ing, with corrugations to prevent slipping. 



