lack
time for pig-keepers, the sows and the store pigs usually found the
greater part of their living in the yards where the cattle were fed on
the straw which was continually being placed in the cribs as the
old-man-of-the-farm threshed the corn out of it with his flail. Many of
the cribs had slatted bottoms so that any kernels of corn which were
left in the straw would drop through and be picked up by the pigs which
found their way under the cribs. In most of the old-fashioned large
yards a corner would be railed off in which the pigs would be given a
few turnips, swedes, or small potatoes, and occasionally a handful or
two of beans or even a sheaf of beans. Those fatting pigs which had not
already been converted into bacon for consumption in the farm-house were
fed mainly on meal ground at the local wind or water mill from the tail
corn grown by the farmer. At the present time the most up-to-date
pig-keepers so arrange that many of the older sows farrow during this
month of January so that the sows have their second litter of the year
late in the month of June or early in July in order that both litters of
pigs obtain the greatest amount of benefit from the growing and hot
season, since pigs thrive best when the days are lengthening and when
the sun shines.

Of late years we appear to have had somewhat severe weather in January.
This has rendered it the more necessary that care should be taken in
providing water and wind-tight sties, in which the sows farrow. Warmth
with free ventilation is needed. The latter is particularly necessary
after the pigs are a few days old, as these do not suffer so much from
cold as they do from damp and draughts. Of course whilst the sow is
farrowing warmth is imperative, as the moist little pigs when first
ejected very quickly become chilled in severe frost, unless they are
promptly wiped with a dry cloth, allowed a draught or two of new milk
from the sow, and then placed in a box or hamper three parts filled with
dry wheat straw. When once the pigs become thoroughly dry the cold does
not affect them very much, providing that the sow furnishes her family
with a full supply of milk. The cost of heating a little water so that
the sow and also the young pigs as soon as they begin to eat may have
warmed food, will be slight, as there is nearly always a fire required
in cottage and farm-house during the cold weather. Warm food makes a
vast difference in the thrift of pigs, especially of you