ROOTING 301 



or manure adhere to it in the winter and freeze into a 

 ball. When this occurs it is objectionable to have rings 

 in the snouts of hogs, especially the larger or more cum- 

 bersome varieties of rings. 



In order to hold a hog for the purpose of ringing a 

 strong light rope may be used with a ring securely fas- 

 tened in one end. The other end of the rope is drawn 

 through this ring, making a slip noose, which is put on 

 the upper jaw of the hog. A large loop may be made in 

 the form of a lasso, and after having a bunch of hogs in 

 the pen, this may be thrown over the head of the hog, 

 catching him by the upper jaw and drawing the rope 

 back into his mouth and then drawing fast. The end 

 of the rope is then wound once around a post and the hog 

 is thus held. He will naturally pull backwards, which 

 will hold his snout perfectly firm and rigid so that the 

 ring can be clasped into place very easily. Any other 

 means of holding a hog that will keep its snout perfectly 

 quiet and that may be safe, would be equally good, but 

 the hog should be held so that he cannot jerk backwards 

 or jerk his snout sideways or up and down. 



THUMPS. 



Thumps is a very common ailment among pigs under 

 certain conditions. It occurs most frequently in young 

 pigs that do not have enough exercise. The symptoms 

 are labored, jerky breathing, similar to heaves in a horse. 

 The most practical cure is removal of the cause, but this 

 is insignificant in value as compared with prevention. To 

 prevent this trouble pigs should have an abundance of 

 exercise, but if this cannot be supplied the ration should 

 be materially reduced. 



