St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-05-30
FARMER AND PLANTER
CARE OF THE BRooD-sow.
some Plain, Practical Advice =, IA
gard to the Care of Brood
swine byEarmers.

considering the time of year it may
uot De amiss to give a little of nv
experience with the brood-sow to-
setner with some differences and sug-
ses'lons. Not a hundred years ago
'hls part of Missouri was clothed in
state of nature, save here and there
. small piece of land, which served
as the habltation of family. I well
remember that the old SOW Spot"
or old Sandy was left entirely
alone, to wander whittier. she would
IN the woods, along the creek. or on
the prairie, coming home at night to
get lew nubbins of corn; no care
or attention being paid t., her.
Usually some night she would fail
to come home, and the next morning
not being seen, it would be suggested
That someone get On horse. taken a
rev ears OF corn and search for her;
1T was wise to take horse, as it
would be dangerous to approach on
foot. When found we would ride as
close as safety would permit and
count the number of her offspring,
and report when we got nome.
Now things are different. With the
Improved breeds, which are gentle
and kind, it becomes necessary to
watch them with care at narrowing
time. We used to shut pet" or
"Puss' in a rail pen and throw some
straw or hay; make cover across
one corner, and if the weather was
severe set up fodder around the cor
ner where the nest should be. Per-
haps just at the crucial time a Sc
we're rain or snow storm would oc-
cur; the pen would become Il mud
hole, the nest mass of wet straw,
which soon became heat.,d-and, in
short, but few, if any, pigs were
saved. Then we said: Just my
.uck!"
These old-time practices set me to
thinking that possibly therc might be
better way. / set to work and built
Il hog-house with floor. roof and sides
SO arranged as to let the sunshine in
and keep the rain and STOW out, as
well as the cold raw wind. Results
were, of course, much more satisfac-
tory. Our sows are all kind ard gen
tie. l can pick III and handle the
little ones any time, and the dams
do not become excited; ia fact, they
pay no attention to my actions while
with them.
It follows, therefore, that | have
drawn few conclusions in regard to
the brood-sow: First, make your SOW
gentle by fondling the pig, and as she
grows older rub her and pet her I'M
til she knows you are her friend;
then, at narrowing time, she will be
quiet and peaceful. Give her good
warm house with a good tloor. Shut
her in, away from the other hogs,
from ten days to two weeks before
she is expected to farrow; feed some
corn, but not exclusively; give some
kitchen slops, and do not let her
bowels become costive. l have found
that a gentle purgative given from
three to five days before parturition
is very beneficial. After the pigs
have arrived let her severely alone;
be as quiet as possible; if she does
not move for several hours So much
the better. Place good cool water
within her reach, SO she can quencn
her thirst, and feed sparingly for
week. / have known some farmers to
give the sow whole arn,ful of corn
the first thing. Result, in short
time: ooh, the pigs! Where are they!"
Ask of the winds. 1t necessarily fol
lows that there are many points that
each individual must solve for him.
self; but the above few suggestions,
learned in the school of experience,
NAV prove helpful to SOME. NJ.
Hull. in Midland Farmer