The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-06-30
FARM AND GARDEN.
The Hog In the Pen.

The hog is usually one of the cleanest OF
animals in his habits, yet he has the reputa'
ton Of being the dirtlest. He seeks the dirf
it is true, and the worst of it, mire, but only
; in summer, to cool his naturally bot nature
and because lie has nothing cleaner to DO II
| in. He thus expresses two elements IN his
nature-to be clean and to be cool. Yet how
do we treat him? We expose him 10 all
weatbers, and when we house HIM up 1t Is 70
keep him with his filth, force him 10 lie IN II
much as he may object to 1t and endcavor 10
find clean place Here he stays I'LL he is
taken to the shambes. He thus lives and
fattens in an atmosphere Of filth. His every
breath takes it in, and his food gets 1t, and
| how he has it sometimes when his feet get in.
to the trough which becomes habitual, is not
to our credit. We need not say that the flesh
| of the animal under such circumstances is
not what is desired, as has been demonstrat.
ed; the wonder Is that il is not wOrse-mOre
rank and more difficult to keep. But the an.
| imal also does not lay on SO much fat as I'm.
der the more favorable circumstances of
cleanliness and pure air; also warm quarters
late in the season. This state of things is all
the more eXcusable when we consider how
easy it is to correct it. This Is simply by US.
ing litter. Any dry, fine material, such as
muck, sawdust, chat, road.dust, or any dry
soil, will do. Shovel l: in so as to form a
good bed in the lower part Of the pen, or the
whole floor may be covered. This will make
a soft, dry place, abate great nuisance, and
save many, many times the amount OF fertl-
izing material, pleasant to apply, which is
far from being the case otherwise. Why this
is not done more largely is almost mystery,
as so much is gain by it. The most of it is
in the manure and the clean air 1t makes, to
say nothing of the comfort of the pig, and its
improvement IN its quantity and quality OF
pork, and alsO-and sometimes the most ma
terisl-ln the exemption of disease, particu.
larly trichinH.
With respect to feeding, principles and not
mere rules, should be kept in view. Itshould
be the aim to feed just enough-as much as
will readily be eaten and readily assimilated.
This with favorable surroundings, will keep
up health and cOmfort-two principles that
must not be ignored; the machine must be
kept in order if it is wished that it shall do
well. And 1t has been found that three feeds
a day, morning, noon and evening" have q
good effect, and give at least general satisfac-
ton. But let the feeds be regular, given at
the hour when expect by the pig. Corn of
course is the best feed 1t is understood it
makes the most pork for the expense paid
out. Barley, however, is not far behind 1t,
the choice being mainly dependent upon the
price AT present prices corn is much the
most profitable to teed. AS to the quantity
to be fed, this depends upon the breed and
and the age and size of the hog. Each feeder
must exercise his own judgment, giving
enough or a little under rather than over, so
as to keep the appetite good.
During the heat Of summer it is important
that the hog have cool quarters. Keep him
in pen that excludes the direct rays of the
sun and if he have access to running water
that will be precisely what he likes and wha,
will benefit HIM. He will eat the more and
lay 1t on in fat by being thus favored. Cool
ness is important, and the lack of it in the
hot days is an evil that sorely cries for cor.
rection.
There is another thing that is said to be a
benefit and il looks consistent; it is variety
of food to stimulate the appetite, such as a
little grass or vegetable m apple or two, or
potatoes, in addition to what milk or whey
may be given. These Of course must be ted
sparngly, so as not to interfere with or be
a substitute for the main rations.-COr. Utica
| Hopu1I