Page:The Hog.djvu/205

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203
GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF THE HOG.

stated hours on the ground, which in the yard, as well as the place where they sleep, is kept perfectly dry and clean. They are attended by Indians with every possible care. There is a cold bath on the premises, which they are obliged frequently to use, as cleanliness is considered essential to their acquiring that enormous load of fat from which the principal profit is derived. Their ease and comfort seem also in every respect to be studiously attended to; and the occupation of two Indian lads will cause a smile on the countenances of my musical readers, when they are informed that they are employed from morning till night in settling any disputes or little bickerings that may arise among the happy inhabitants of this community, either in respect to rank or condition, and in singing them to sleep. The boys are chosen for the strength of their lungs, and their taste and judgment in delighting the ears and lulling the senses of this amiable harmonic society; they succeed each other in chanting during the whole day, to the great delight and gratification of their bristly audience, who seem fully to appreciate the merits of the performers." Martin says:—

"Any place is thought good enough for a pig, no matter how dark, damp, or filthy it may be, and in such places we have seen pigs kept. But what has been the consequence? Diseases of the skin, swellings of the joints, dullness, and loss of eager, healthy appetite; often, after being slaughtered, the intestines are found infested by parasitic worms. So far from any place being good enough for a pig, much of the animal's health and ultimate profitableness depend on the domicile in which it is kept. For those who keep only one or two pigs, a well-built wind and waterproof sty or shed for a dormitory, in an inclosure for air and exercise as large as convenient, will suffice. The feeding-trough should be made of stone, as wooden troughs are liable to be gnawed, and are often knocked over when half full of food by the snout of the pig, either by accident or in wantonness. It would be well also to give the animal access to a stone receptacle of clean water; for though much water should not be given to a pig during the progress of fattening, still the animal should never be allowed to suffer from thirst; nothing tends more than thrist to derange the digestive organs, and prevent the animal from thriving. The floor of the whole sty and yard should be well paved with brick, and incline to a drain, both for the sake of dryness and facility of cleaning. The manure, liquid as well as more solid, should be put into a manure-pit for the future benefit of the garden. A sufficient quantity of straw should be spread on the floor of the dormitory, and all should be clean, even the trough, which should be washed out every day. The door should be made to open inwards; otherwise, if not very strongly secured, it is liable to be forced open by the animal, and much mischief may