1 Man, 1900.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 191 
“ght weeks, They should have learned to eat with their mother. By throw- 
‘ig 2 handful of oats on a clean place on the floor, when the pigs are three 
weeks old, they will begin to pick them up. Then there should be a low and 
shallow trough from which they can obtain skim milk mixed with shorts or 
mixed with a small quantity of ground grain. If the young pigs can be turned 
pit with their mother on a clover field before they are weaned, they will learn 
Rr fat it rapidly. They should be given a chance to take plenty of exercise. 
*om the time the pigs ‘are weaned a moderate supply of skim milk, buttermilk, 
i oa or similar feed will promote the growth of muscles which become 
esh, 
the; Want of exercise and want of flesh-producing food during that period of 
Ir erowth will prevent any breed of hogs from developing the fleshy qualities 
f 7 are wanted in the bacon and hams. It is improbable that any kind of 
rd during the fattening of the animals can result in producing a large 
Poportion of lean flesh unless the animals are well and regularly fed. 
_ The following opinion on weaning pigs is given by Professor Henry, of 
Thi osit:—Pigs are generally weaned when from seven to ten weeks le. 
ie 1s begt accomplished by first removing the two strongest members of the 
¢ er to a Separate pen, and after two or three days taking Braye geee 8, a yas 
Tee the most vigorous, until all are removed. | Under this a a 
ae for of the dam will gradually diminish until it ceases. Many precaees 
é °W Pigs to wean themselves—a result reached without difficulty where ue 
Te liberally supplied with palatable nourishment at a side trough. When the 
88 are weaned they should be placed in groups of not over twenty, care being 
at the members in each group are of the same size. Where large 
isn. rs of pigs of varying sizes range together, the weaker ones are a 4 
Advantage at the feed trough, and are liable to permanent injury from lac 
and the rough treatment they receive. 
prov; he Weaning process should be very gradual. The sow should now be 
ae “ded with a suitable place for caring for her pigs when they nave eae 
h ely, and this may be expected if the sow isin good health and comfortably 
Oused, The feeding cannot be too good. The milk of the sow is extremely 
i h. It contains twice ag much casein as cows’ milk, and two and a-half ass 
8 much Inineral matter, but not quite as muchfat. It is thus exceedingly wel 
ted to hourish growing pigs, and this fact explains the rapid growth of the 
mus litter, which in one month often increases in weight ten times. Bune 
“amot make the milk without food, and the best feeding is required to 
ish the little pigs along and to keep them in good flesh. At the su fae 
sh food of the sow should be changed frequently. A mixture of bar ey sateas 
erts, and skim milk may be fed twice a day, with a feed of soaked maize a 
», and between these meals a few roots will be excellent, and will nereeee 
The roots should be cut up into slices. Some feeders prefer to coo 
_ » but, apart from any other consideration, the system hardly pda 
ary dense and labour of cooking are sufficient to more than counter ce 
who profit that may be gained. Sour food is to be avoided; it eas os 
can “Some, and is always fed at a loss as compared with sweet food. ; mi i 
mill ® obtained and fed sweet it is very valuable, but no sour food, ails a 
0 » Should be given to a brood sow. Feed the sow from a low, sha i 
lite : and the little pigs will soon learn to taste the food. As seen eae 
shall Pigs have learned to eat, make a little pen for them, and provi 2 a ee 
milk. Tough. At first, give a small quantity of rich food, such as f ee 
alar: with a small quantity of shorts or barley-meal. Never give so mea i 
You se quantity will be left in the trough to sour, as sour milk is ate ees 
Mone? Pigs. Continue to increase the quantity as they learn to eat an eal ze 
te 1 na short time the pigs will have learned to eat, and wi seo m 
reel for their food as the sow, and they will gradually become a bP see 
old thee drawing less and less on the sow, till by the time they are ort ae 
joy @ 9 can be separated from the sow, without checking the Brot eee 
tee 1 the least. ‘The sow will also be in good health and wagons, ready f 
ding again. Of course, the season must be reversed for Australia. 
