The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-04-17

There is probably no branch OF industry
that creates so great an income to the far
mers of the west as the breeding and feeding
of swine. And as the time when SO many
sows will be coming in IS near al manu-, Il ne"
hints as to their management may be OF III
terest.
Ten DAYS or two weeks before tarrOwlng,
the SOW should be separated from the rest oi
the herd and shut up by herself IN a pen
provided with good warm sheltcr anu cIean
dry bedding. Chatl or short cut straw makes
the hest material tor bedding. The better
nlas is to give her two or three times as much
heddinc as she needs. By lying on it she
will make it soft, which is quite essential
Them when she is eating, or her attention is
otherwise occupied remove such portions OF
if as become wet or dirty. When the tarrOw
he'd /, made, examine it; and If the sides are
too hard or too high, remove enough to make
them about level with the centre 1t is better
to have too little than too much bed. y rail
ing should be constructed on the inside OF
then, about six inches high and from eight
to ten inches from the sides. Then II she
makes her bed near the side of the pen, as
she almost invariably WILL the railing affords
space for the pigs to slip around and under,
and prevent their being ov0rlad or crushed
against the sides of the pen. The above
plan of railing was suggested to Us several
years ago by the Hon. l.. w. Stuart, OF Ches'
ter White notorlety, and it has saved us many
valuable pigs After this she should be left
to herself, unless very gentle, and even then
we think il best to keep away and let nature
take its course. If the sow has been well
cared for before tarrowng, she Will probably
have little or no trouble. The pigs will come
strong and vigorous, and begin to suck in "A
few minutes Avoid disturbing the SOW
,,;,o nall IL n.
less really necessary. DO not give the SOW
more than half rations for a day or two be
fore narrowing, and nothing but clear cold
water for at least twenty tohr hours after 1t;
the second day give her some thin sloppy
food-a little milk will do no harm If not
too sour. Gradually increase the feed both
IN quantity and quality for a week or ten
DAYS. After this give her all the nutritious
food that she can be induced to eat. III the
pigs get the scours give her sweet skinned
milk thickened with flour, or three-quarts OF
coarse flour scalded with four quarts of hot
water, and the pail afterwards filled with
water sufficient to cool to the temperature of
new milk When the pigs are about two
weeks old provide them with little shallow
trough placed where other animals can not
ret to 1t; put III a pint or 50 OF sweet milk ;
let them drink and waste as much as they
please, but clean the trough out before fresh
feed is given them; then give them handful
of oats, increase the quantity daily. Learn
them to eat while young, but never give more
than they will eat up clean. Feed regular,
never too much at one time and too little at
another, as it will often produce scours and
hurt the growth of the pigs If the SOW is
thrifty and in good condition, we let the pigs
remain with her until they are about ten
weeks old before weaving. For week or
two after weaving the pigs should have extra
good care; nothing that they will eat is too
good for them. Their future development
depends very much on their care while young
DO not say that 1t will not pay to go to this eX
ira trouble. 1t isl great mistake. Your sue.
cc.s as a pork raiser depends in great meas
#