The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1903-05-23
RMERANDPLAN
~ d lie ER0oD- sow.
Some Plain, Practical Advice in Res
gard 10 the Care of brood
swine By Farmers.

Considering the time of year it may
not be amiss to give a little of my
experience with the brood-sow, to-
.gether with some differences and sugs
gestions. Not a hundred years ago
this part Of Missouri was clothed in
q state of nature, save here and there
a small piece of land, which served
as the habitation of a family. 1 well
remember chat 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 a few nubbins of corn; NO care
or attention being paid to 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 a horse, taken a
few ears Of corn and search for her;
it was wise to take a 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 home.
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 a 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 a mud
hole, the nest a mass of wet straw,
which soon became heated-and, in
short, but few, if any, pigs were
saved. Then we said: Just my
luek!"
These old-time practices set me to
thinking that possibly there might be
a better way. 1 set to work and built
q hog-house with floor, roof and sides
SO arranged as to let the sunshine in
and keep the rain and snow out, as
well as the cold raw wind. Results
were, of course, much more satisfac-
tory. Our sows are all kind and gen
tie. / can pick up and handle the
little ones any time, and the dams
do not become excited; in fact, they
pay no attention to my actions while
with them.
It follows, therefore, that / have
drawn a 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 un-
til she knows you IRE her friend;
then, at narrowing time, she will be
quiet and peaceful. Give her a good
warm house with a good floor. 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 som'
kitchen Stops, and do not let hel
bowels become cOstive, / have tounc
that a gentle purgative given from
three to five days before parturitior
is very beneficial. After the pigs
have arrived let her severely alone
be as quiet as possible; If she doe
not move for several hours so mucl
tbe better. Place good cool water
within her reach, so she can quenci
her thirst, and feed sparingly for
week. I have known some farmers T.
give the sow a whole armful of corr
the first thing. Result, in a shor
time: "Oh, the pigs! Where are they!'
Ask of the winds. 1t necessarily fol
lows that there are many points tina
each individual must solve for him
self; but the above few suggestions
learned in che school of experience
may prove helpful to some,-J. N
Hull, in Midland Farmer.