Rearing and Fattening of Pigs. 



9 



of the little pigs is of rather a more complicated character than 

 is generally supposed. Although the object of pig breeding is 

 the same all the world over — the realisation of a profit — yet the 

 manner in which this industry can be most profitably carried on 

 varies considerably ; one of the reasons for this is the supply of 

 cheap food at certain periods of the year. For instance, in those 

 districts where cheese or butter-making is one of the chief 

 pursuits of the farmers, the early spring and summer pigs are 

 the more profitable, from the following causes : there is a very 

 large supply at no great cost of separated or skim milk, butter- 

 milk and whey, the price of fat pigs is almost always above 

 the average of the year during the months of August and 

 September, and the cost of fatting the pigs is less than 

 during the cold weather. Dairy farmers and those who breed 

 especially for them should therefore endeavour to have their 

 sows farrow down early in the year. Amongst pig-keepers 

 there exists an objection to early litters on account, they allege, 

 of the cold weather. I am inclined to think that this fear is 

 excessive. For many years it has been my custom to arrange 

 for a considerable number of my sows to farrow in the month 

 of January ; this year the number was twenty and the litters 

 averaged a trifle over twelve per litter from both sows and yelts, 

 and J find that, with a little extra care when the pigs are first 

 farrowed, if the cold is severe, the percentage of loss is not at 

 all higher than with February or March litters, whilst there 

 are two very great advantages : the pigs can be fattened out for 

 the best trade, and the next litters will come in July or early 

 August and have plenty of time to get strong before the cold, 

 muggy weather of November arrives. This last month and 

 October should be carefully avoided as months in which the 

 sows farrow. The cold, damp days and very long nights appear 

 to be most unsuitable for little pigs. Cold, provided it is dry 

 and the pigs have sufficient litter, appears to have but com- 

 paratively little effect on young pigs. I am aware that some 

 years since a considerable number of pigs were bred in Novem- 

 ber to furnish a supply of roast sucking pigs for Christmas, but 

 that, like running little pigs on the stubbles to pick up the 

 shelled corn, has almost become a memory of the past in many 

 counties. Some few small farmers, who are able to employ 



