PIG KEEPING.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 596, 16 March 1876, Page 3

PIG KEEPING.

Pig keeping it much neglected in the Waikato district, but if this' bran jh of industry received more attention it would bo found to pay, and we "would see less hams and bacon imported from the South Itland to which wo at present look for Aiipplies. The following is considered the speediest method of fattening nwihe :— l. put thorn up in a oovered pen, -with a 'roomy yard of dry soil to which the animals can h»T« acoecs at pleasure for exercise. If the §oil be not a dry one, then it »hould be so well littered with coarte hay, straw, forre»t leaves, or something of the 'kind, as to be kept'dry, In the abience of a pen, enclose a sufficient dry space with any convenient fencing staff, and lay a roof of hoards orer one comer of it, sufficiently tight to shelter the hog» from run and cold winds, and tee that the gronnd here is well htcerod, and kept dry for them* to deep oq. 9,. Corp ioaked'till uoft in cold water 1 goea further in fattening hogs than barfi dry corn, but'to bod it soft it still better, if the mill be convenient for grinding the corn, it would be still more to make mush or : pudding of it ; or the meal can be mixed up with cold or hot water, and suffered to ttand till soured, and then fed. This last is equivalent to a partial cooking. 3. When hogs are shut up for fatting they should have at the rate of a heaping teaspoon ful of fine salt put into each day'i mest of feed, and & tableipocnful of wood a»hes. These wcreaie the appetite, and nerve to keep them healthy. If there be any danger of " cholera," a heaping tablespoonful of pulvdrUed charcoal should also be added. It is a good plan to put some Wood or coal ashes in the pi^ pen every week, for the hogs to root over tnd eat, or throw in some chunks of charcoal and punk or rotten Wood for them to gnaw at pleasure. In thu case the charcoal dust and ashea may be omitted in their feed. Be careful not to overdose with salt, -for if hoga not accuttomed to it could get »t a large quantity, they would be liable to eat to muoh at first as to kill them. 4. Q-ive all tho pure fresh water they will drink, morning, noon, and night. Keep the hogs clean in their pens or encloaurei, and don't alJow any cattle or horse manure, or other putroicent iubstandc to bo near, to give them the scab or mange.