70 



Pork ProdiKtion 



It is covered with loose slats on which straw is piled. The 

 straw will absorb the dampness and reflect much of the 

 heat from the bodies of the pigs. If kept well padded with 

 straw below, the pigs will be cozy on the coldest days. 



When the pens are thoroughly dry, they should be 

 bedded carefully. The kind and amount of bedding to 

 use is of considerable importance, especially the latter. 

 Any good absorbent that is dry and will lie close to the 

 floor is satisfactory. Rye or wheat straw is preferred 

 to oat straw. Cut straw, shredded stover, any fine- 

 stemmed hay, or sawdust, when available, are highly 



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Fio. 4. — Framework in corner of farrowing pen for a pig-nest. 



considered, for they interfere little with the efforts of 

 the newborn pig to reach the mother's teat. A great 

 pile of loose straw is an evidence of mistaken kindness. 

 As a rule, the less bedding used the better. A very thin 

 covering on the bare floor is sufficient, especially when the 

 weather is not severe. 



With early pigs, especially in the North, provision for 

 the supply of artificial heat will often be desirable, even 

 with a good piggery. An old stove or heater fixed up in 

 one end of the hog-house may often be the means of saving 

 the pigs in a particularly severe spell of weather. 



