Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1871-11-04
Stock Raising.
ABOUT PIGS.

work entitled Harris On The Pig" the wri-
ter gives a summary of facts and principles
brought out in the previous chapters. IL IN
cludes much information which breeders
will do well to heed. We quote us follows:
The leading breeds of English pigs are
Berkshire, Essex and Yorkshire. The Es-
sex are entirely black; the Berksfires are
also dark colored pigs, but not so biack rs
the Essex, and have also white spots on the
head and feet. There are large ana small
Rerkshires. The Yorkshires are white, but
occasionally dark spots show themselves on
the skin, and these are not considered de-
cisive evidence that the pigs are not thor-
ough-bred. There are small, medium ana
large, OF mammoth, Yorkshires.
The Essex will, at maturity, dress from
400 to $50 pounds. They are the largest OF
the small breeds. Berkshires often exceed
this weight, but when such is the case they
would be classed rs large Berkshires. Inc
Prince Albert Suffolks are small Yorkshires.
The leading breeds originating in the Uni
ted States are, the Cheshires or Jefferson
county, the Chester Whites or Chester coun-
ty. and the Magic or Butler county pigs. The
Poland-C hinas or China and Big Polands are
said to be the same breed us the Magic OF
Butler county. The Illinois Swine Breeders
Association, at its meeting in l67Oresolved to
call them the Magic breed. They are II large
coarse breed. with black and white and oc-
casionally sandy spots. Like the Chester
Whites they will doubtless afford splendid
sows for crossing with Essex, Berkshire, or
other refine thoroughbred boars. The JEFF
ferson county are II very handsome white
breed, essentially Yorkshires.
Pigs should always have access to fresh
watcr-no matter how sloppy the food is nor
how much dish-water is furnished, they
should be supplied with pure water. We
are satisfied that pigs often suffer for want OF
it. Salt, sulphur, charcoal, ashes, bone-dust,
or phosphate, should occasionally be placed
where the pigs can cat what they wish OF
them.
If thoroughly boiled, pig will eat beans,
though they are not fond of them. Peas they
will eat with avidity, and when ms cheap rs
corn, should be fed in preference, us they af-
ford much the richest manure. Half peas
and half corn is probably better than either
alone. Peas make very firm pork.
Oil cake, when fed in large quantities, in
jures the flavor aud quality of the pork, but
we have fed small quantities of it with de-
cided advantage to the health and rapid
growth of the pigs, without any apparent in
jury to the lard or pork. 1t is quite useful
for breeding sows-it keeps the bowels loose
and increases the quantity and quality of the
milk.
Bran, except in small quantities, is not q
valuable food for fattening pigs-it is toe
bulky. But when rich, concentrated food is
given, such rs corn, barley, peas, or oil cake
pigs should be allowed all the bran they will
eat, placed in a separate trough. nthis wa,
it becomes also very useful for breeding
sows. The best roots to raise for pigs ar,
~parsnips and mangel wurzel.
The period of CESSATION is almost ~invaria
bly, sixteen weeks. In three or four days af
ter pigging II SOW in good condition will gen
orally take the boar. But as a rule it is no
well to allow it. If she passes this perio'
she will not take the boar until after the pig
are weaned. If she fails the first time sh