Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1903-11-18
-: -.'.'..S;;;:2;'.S!!W'l!]INE::5:|DS
IzaDBREEDINGssM|l
What Causes Thumpsf

The latest theory regarding thumps
in young pigs Is that the disease Is due
to spasms of the diaphragm, probably
due to pressure. The symptom Is q
sudden Jerking movement in the flank
When a pig is standing quietly the jerk
is very noticeable and may be Of such
violence as to move the whole body
backward and forward. 1t may be ac-
cOmpanied by sound that can be
heard some distance. These contrac-
tons are not rhythmical, but may be
much more frequent at one time than
at another. After exercise, the Jerking
is more violent. The jerking is also
more pronounced after full meal than
when the stomach Is empty. The causes
are probably n full stomach and lack
Of exercise. The disease occurs mostly
in filters from mothers that are excep-
tionally heavy mixers and always
takes the latest pigs In the bunch.
Treatment requires an increase In eX-
ercise. and the pigs should be turned
out into alfalfa pasture. If they are
kept in n pen give salts or castor OIL
Fifteen or twenty drops each of tine
ture Of laudanum and digitalis every
two hours until the animal is relieved
is accommodating and Farm.
YOrIsshires and Their Meat.
| notice what the Hope farm man
says about Yorkshire swine-how fig
ures show that they did better than the
Berkshire, says correspondent Of Ru-
raj New Yorker l think that careful
comparison will show that the York
shire will do better every year. During
the past thirty years have raised sew
eral hundred pigs. and give as re-
suit Of what experience l have had
more pork Of excellent quality for less
expense from the Yorkshire than any
other breed Of swine have tried. We
always take great pains In dressing
our hogs not only in removing the hair,
but In washing and scraping and shay
Ing them over after they are hung up.
What looks better than a nice pure
white Yorkshire pig scraped and
washed clean? We usually hang four
or five on tamarack tree near the
house, and the nelghbors often say,
"Well, your tamarack has borne fine
fruit this year" Aside from color
there are many other good points
long and deep body; large hams and
shoulders, thick bellies for bacon,
small head, fine ears, strong frame
without being coarse, and they are
very prolific, often bearing from ten to
sixteen pigs.
Iron For Hogs.
When hog does not thrive and con-
tinually chews nail or some other
foreign substance he needs iron In his
system. Why not supply It? asks Mid
land Farmer Give him dose Of cop
peras, and he will drop his tail and go
kin pie is fine" but / doubt II any one
would want to eat It continually,
Study animal economy; find out why It
Is necessary to change the feed OF your
animals Know the theory, and you
will make success and will have the
satisfaction of knowing your stock are
not starving in the midst Of plenty.
God made everything necessary for
man and beast, and II stock were al
lowed to roam at will they would find
all the articles that are needed In the
system. Man has changed natures
law, and unless he supplies those arti-
Giles artificially that are not found in
ordinary food he is the loser.
The Bacon Hog.
Frank Bixby, head buyer for Swift
& Co, says: "There is not rs great de-
mand for the bacon hog as there used
to be. It never has paid In this coun-
try to raise II exclusively, nor do be-
lleve 1t ever Will. We get our bacon
animals weighing from 40 to $50
The Berkshire in my opinion,
IL the best bacon hog. Tamworths are
quite satisfactory but there are not
many OF them here, so we hardly con-
slider them. The thin rind hog Is also
good for bacon. | do not believe that
The American farmer can under pres
mt conditions raise rs good bacon az
he Danes or English"