Page:The Hog.djvu/224

222 Yet another source of profit accruing from swine, and we close this chapter.

The manure proceeding from the pigsty has been often much undervalued, and for this reason, that the litter has been considered as forming the principal portion of it, whereas it constitutes the least valuable part; and, indeed, where all due attention is paid to the cleanliness of the animals and of their dwellings, it can scarcely be regarded as manure at all, at least by itself.

It is the urine and the dung which are valuable; and these are now generally allowed to be peculiarly so, and to constitute no inconsiderable items in the profits arising from the keeping of swine. These matters are, from the very nature of the food of the animals, exceedingly rich and oleaginous, and materially benefit cold soils and grass-lands. But, as with most other things relative to swine, this has also been too much neglected; the animals have been suffered to wander about at will, voiding their dung and urine in waste; or, when confined, the sty perhaps furnished no means of collecting and saving it. We will venture to prophesy that the partial alteration of system which is now gradually spreading will speedily lead to amendment in this point also; and the dung from the piggery will be husbanded with a care little inferior to that bestowed on the fold, stable, or cow-house dung.

Martin says: "There is another point relative to the hog, which we must not omit to notice. We allude to the value of the solid and liquid manure. This has been, and still is, too much neglected. Nevertheless, this manure is really of importance, being peculiarly adapted for cold soils and grass lands. It should always be collected as carefully as that of the stable or cow-house, and husbanded in the same way. Those who keep extensive piggeries will soon find the advantage of this plan, which, besides the profit arising from the manure itself, will necessitate the keeping of the piggery in a state of cleanliness. A dirty sty or yard is a disgrace to the owner; it is the source of disease, and it involves the waste of manure of first-rate quality. The cottager who keeps a pig or two will find the utility of this manure in his garden, and, by due attention, he will prevent the litter or bedding of straw from becoming a mass of filth; thus in two ways effecting a saving."