d that the pig's capacity for storing food is
very small, especially as compared with some others of our domesticated
animals. Four or five meals per day at least should be given to newly
weaned pigs. That most troublesome of ailments commonly termed cramp
more generally results from injudicious feeding than from all other
causes combined. Even when the young pigs are properly fed on suitable
food there is a tendency in some little pigs to attacks of cramp. One of
the best preventatives and even remedies is to compel the pigs to leave
their nests late in the evening or prior to the pigman retiring for the
night, as they will then relieve the bowels and bladder. Otherwise,
particularly in cold weather, the pigs would remain quiescent in their
nests from feeding time in the afternoon until they were fed the
following morning, or in winter a period of some fifteen or sixteen
hours--far too long a time for the good health of the young pigs.

Another point which requires attention is the provision of a dry bed.
Pigs are naturally clean animals, and will not as a rule foul their bed
when they are in a healthy state. Still the straw will in winter time
become damp solely from the moisture thrown off by the pigs when huddled
together in their nest. All damp litter should be carefully removed at
least once each day.

The best of all materials for the bedding of pigs is wheat straw. This
will absorb a larger amount of moisture than any other kind of straw,
whilst the skin and hair of the pigs will remain of a brighter colour
than if bedded on oat or barley straw. Of these two, the former is more
suitable than the latter, which so readily becomes damp and foul. In
those parts of the country where comparatively little corn is grown,
sawdust and wood shavings are commonly used for litter for pigs. So far
as the comfort of the pigs is concerned there is little difference as
compared with straw with regard to pigs of all ages in the warmer
weather, but in the winter little pigs suffer, as they are unable to
make the warm nest which straw enables them to make and enjoy.

When peat moss was first introduced it was strongly recommended for the
bedding of pigs. It was claimed for it that it was a far better
absorbent of moisture than sawdust, and that its manurial value was much
greater. It is probable that both claims are founded on fact, as sawdust
is of comparatively no value as a manure. But there exists one serious
objection to the