The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-07-29
agricultural.
Management Of Swine.

"As dirty as pig" describes, in
most mems vocabulary, their "ne plus
ultra" Of personal uncleanliness. 1t is
a great, but common error, this, that
hog is naturally and of choice tilthy
animal delighting in mud-bath,, as
the greatest sublunary luxury; ana De-
coating himself with mire, as proudly as
the veriest dandy would broadcloth hlm-
self a-la-mode A hog, if reared in
respectable manner and washed of
Saturday night with "the rest of the
children" will do no discredit to his
bringing up, but may chance to shame
many Of his masters, by the dccency of
his appearance. Kept clean by an ac-
casional washing, and the privilege of
neat apartments for his noontide nap.
He thrives better thus, than when fore
ed to wallow in the mire for he seek
the mud-medicated bath, merely to al
lay the irritation of his skin IF you
keep his hide clean, he will no longer
need it, unless bad early education
prevails over his natural swinish notions
of neatness. We have tried thoroughly
the plan of keeping hogs clean, by wash
ing and by good pens and nice litter,
and we have found an advantage in it.
" As drunk as a SOW" is another pro-
verb, which unjust and ingenious man
has invented and perpetuated to keep
himselfin countenance. "Dauid's sow"
is sometimes particularizcd. Now it is
fact, that may be new to many of our
readers, that the hog, in his anatomical
structure, his diseases, and in many OF
his habits, approaches more nearly to
man, than any other of our domestic ami
mails, insomuch that surgeons, hard rln
for human sujects whereupon to lecture
and demonstrate to their journeymen
sawbones, have frequently selected pig
to occupy the vacant table. Very many
of their diseases are Identical with our
own. And their habits-their laziness,
their omnivorous appetitite-are certain
ly like those of many of our own kind
we won't specify politicians.
In feeding swine, men should use
judgment. A hog wants his meals reg
ularly, or he worries and squeals off an
ounce or two of fat. Exercise expands
and developes his frame, and fits it to
carry more flesh and fat; and ensures
to the pig good constitution. Having
attained sufficient size, he may be
penned and gradually fed more and
more and when once fat should not be
allowed to loose a pound. Regularity anG
repose are now necessary to ensure the
most satisfactory state of obesity.
Clover is an excellent fodder for
swine. On clover and water alone, a
well-bred pig will become very Daniel
Lambert of hog. Green corn may fol-
low clover and as fall fades into winter
push in the meal. This is the mode Of
feeding which we have seen adopted
with the most entire success for large
herds; where were no facilities for but
ter-milk or other swill, that many farm
ers have in abundance.
The breeds of swine now most valued
at the North, are the Suffolk and the
Middlesex. These two are very mucl
alike in every respect; and after having
bred both for many years, we would no
give the "toss of a copper for choice. ,
To be general favorites, they are hardly
large enough, though their early matu-
ity, small consumption of food, and won
derful inclination to fatness, more than
compensate, in cash, for their want OF
size. Suffolk pigs have been slaughter
ed at six months old that weighed 394
pounds. No man need to have finer
breed than this.-Jour. Of Agriculture.