AUTHOR'S METHOD OF FEEDING 191 



panel, it may be swung in and fastened, shutting the pigs 

 out of the trough and giving the feeder an opportunity 

 to put the slop into it. After the feed is in the trough and 

 all the pigs are present, the panel may be swung back, 

 giving the pigs access to the feed. In such a case not 

 more than ten or fifteen pigs should be fed together, or 

 as many as can conveniently get to a trough of moderate 

 dimensions. 



Troughs of various forms are in use and made of vari- 

 ous kinds of material, such as wood, cement and iron. A 

 few general considerations as to the shape and construc- 

 tion of a trough may be advisable. The trough should 

 be large enough to contain the quantity of slop that is to 

 be fed to the bunch of pigs. It should not be higher than 

 is necessary to enable the pigs to get at the feed conveni- 

 ently. It should not be so broad that it is necessary for 

 the pigs to get into the trough with their feet in order 

 to get the feed. The wall of the trough should not be 

 so thick that it will be difficult for the pig to reach the 

 feed in the same when he stands next to it, and it should 

 be of such form that the pig can get all the feed. Along 

 with these considerations a feed trough should be made as 

 cheaply and as durably as possible. Very satisfactory 

 troughs may be made by nailing two planks together in 

 the shape of a V with pieces nailed at each end. For 

 large hogs a 2x10 and a 2x8 spiked together make a very 

 desirable trough. For younger and smaller pigs nar- 

 rower pieces should be used. Various kinds of commer- 

 cial iron troughs are on the market which are all right 

 if not too expensive and if properly used. They are ex- 

 tensively used by breeders. 



The Feed Yard. — Another arrangement of feeding pens 

 is as follows : A feeding pen may be built which is 



