The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-03-21
Management Of Swine.

FEW of our farm animals require
more careful attention during winter
than swine, and certainly none pay bct-
ter for the care bestowed; and yet,
many farmers who carefully stable
their horses, and provide warm quar-
tiers for their cattle, calves and sheep,
seem to think that hogs can take care
of themselves. This they are perfectly
able to do, provided the material is at
hand. That is, they will do the best
they can under the circumstances. If
they can find stack they will burrow
there and lie warm; if there is timber,
they will carry straw or leaves to the
densest thicket, and build high bed
enough SO they may lie dry, SO far as
dampness from the ground is con-
ccrned. In fact, swine will exercise
more tact and ingenuity to sleep COM
fortably than any other of the animals
of the farm. Their lack of natural
covering requires that they do this.
and thus it becomes one of their strong
est instincts.
Another popularity of swine is that
they will lie together, if possible, and
this from the same natural instinct as
before given. Also, as means of SELF
protection, they are essentially grega-
rious, more so than any other Of our
farm animals except sheep. In state
of domestication, none of our farm ami
mails have been made more artificial
than swine, except our working horses.
Hence, none are more liable to disease
when kept together and fed in large
droves. If allowed to follow their own
instincts they remain healthy. When
treated artificially, we must provide
them the means of comfort Just as we
should and do with other farm animals.
They must have shelter from cold in
winter and from heat in summer, and
be provided while growing with vari-
ETY. of food.
None of our farm animals are more
choice in their food, if so allowed;
none require greater variety, and none
are more clearly in their habits than
swine. Yet they have always been con-
sidered the type of uncleanliness, both
in their food and habits. 1t has come
down to us from the time of the Israel.
ties, whose adherence of swine
amounts almost to a mania. Consid-
ering that swine are the most impor-
tant among our meat-producing ami
mails, it would seem to be about time
that farmers came to recognize what
they really require in their artificial
condition. They are given at the head
of this paragraph.
One of the peculiarities of swine,
when confined to close quarters, is their
especial greed of carbonaceous matter,
as coal, or other changed vegetable mat
ter of like nature. When allowed to
follow their natural instincts they get
this from half-rotten wood, and in the
earth when roofing. Rings are put in
hogs noses; they are kept in filthy
yards, or close pens; they are fed
on corn and water, and expected to
thrive. It is little wonder that cpl
demic and contagious diseases deci-
mate them and extend to the droves of
those who really do understand their
requirements, and try to give them the
best possible care.
Swine eat fewer vegetables than any
other farm animal, and yet they are
carnivorous feeders. They require an
imal food or its equivalent, roots, plants
and grain. 1t is true they may subsist
on corn and water when confined in .