May and June
1. Summer feeding and pasture. An acre of cow peas or soy beans sown in May will furnish excellent pasture for the spring pigs, especially when the pods are formed about September. Rape is a good pasture crop for hogs. It may be sown from April to June and will be ready for pasture in about six weeks. Six to eight pounds of seed will suffice for an acre when sown broadcast. An acre of rape should pasture a sow and her October and spring litters. Corn and shorts may be used to supplement rape pasture. Continue the feeding rations according to age and weight recommended for former months.
2. Breeding for October pigs. During the third or fourth week of June breed the sow for the October litter of pigs. Breed to a pure-bred sire if possible. Keep record of all dates.
3. Shelter for the pigs. During the summer it may be necessary to provide a shelter from the direct rays of the sun. A frame of poles covered with straw or corn-stalks will serve this purpose.
4. Hog wallows. Since pigs do not perspire they often suffer during the extreme heat of the summer. They naturally seek the coolest wallow even though it be a filthy mud hole. It would be humane as well as good business to provide a concrete wallow and keep it filled with eight or ten inches of water. Coal-tar or crude oil added to the water will help to rid the pigs of lice.
5. Sanitary conditions. During the summer months continue to care for the cleanliness of all the pens and house as suggested for the winter season. Seek the advice of successful hog raisers and veterinarians upon the slightest evidence of unhealthy pigs. See discussion on worms and cholera in [Part III].
6. Ringing the pigs. One ring should not be placed in the center of the pig’s nose, but if ringed at all, use two rings, one on either side of the center of the nose, close to the tendons running down to the pig’s snout.