HOG HOUSE. In the breeding and rearing of swine, it is essential that they be kept from severe cold, and the attacks of insects. Nature has not provided them with a warm covering of hair. They are natives of warm climates where vegetable food may be found the year round. They are not fond either of great heat, since the sun affects their naked skin much in the same way it would that of man. Hence the care taken by the most intelligent breeders and feeders to high, the upper story to he used for grain and feed, the lower story as a cook room and for pre paring the feed. From this central building wings are projected, on every side, twenty-four feet wide, and of sufficient length to accommo date the requisite number of hogs. These wings will allow pens to be made on each side of a pas sage way from which the hogs may be easily fed from a tank on low wheels. A yard should be attached to each pen, to which the hogs can have access at will. The outline ground-plan an nexed, will give a good idea of a hog house or stable, where economy of space is connected with the best and most perfect system of feeding. The pens should be eight by ten feet, with door to yard outside and a suitable feeding trough next the passage way, These pens are kept bedded. and are to be regularly cleaned into
provide them comfortable quarters, both summer and winter, one that may be partially darkened, in summer, and that will conserve heat in winter. Thus, by allowing them to take advantage of their natural instinct, in lying together in beds, they may be most economically managed. When but few are kept, simple pens, with enclosed places for sleeping may be provided. For fattening in autumn they may simply have a dry yard with a dark, close place in which to lie. When many are kept, the cheapest and best structure will be found a permanent one, containing an apart ment for cooking food, pens for fattening and store hogs, pens for the boars and also the breeding sows. The best form is a central build ing, thirty feet or more square, and two stories truck running in the passage way, and thence transferred to a wagon at the end doors, which also serve to take in feed, etc. This central building may contain six pens, and each wing as many as may be desired, although ten pens in each wing is as much as can usually be consid ered economical. A, shows central room; B, cooking apparatus; D, D, D, D, passage way.