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.
July and August
1. Getting ready for an exhibit. If there is to be a local, county, or state fair, club members will arrange through their leader to have an exhibit of their pigs at the fair. Follow carefully and honestly all directions and rules laid down by your state club leader in entering the contest and exhibiting your pigs. If there is no fair or exhibit for you to attend, make one at your local school. Your state club leader will send full directions for all contests and exhibits.
2. Preparing the pig for exhibition.[3] The first thing to do toward getting the pig ready for a show is to wash his body thoroughly with warm rain water, and a good lathery soap. Use a stiff brush so that dirt and dust will be removed. A little disinfectant in the wash water would be a good thing. Thoroughly rinse the soap out of the hair after washing and allow the pig to dry in a clean, dry stall.
His coat. When all the moisture has disappeared from the hair and skin, a light application of sweet oil may well be made, taking particular care to rub the oil well into the skin. The oil will keep the hair and hide soft and will give the pig a shiny coat, thereby improving his appearance. The use of too much oil is objectionable, both because it is apt to become “gummed” in the hair and make the animal “sticky”, and because it will soil the fingers of the people who will probably stroke and pet the pig when he is taken to the show. If sweet oil is not available, raw linseed oil may be used instead, but a somewhat lighter application of linseed oil should be made. Oil is seldom used on white pigs.
The feet. Frequently the pig’s feet will require some attention. If the toes are too long or are broken off so that they are rough, they should be trimmed with a good sharp jackknife. This can be done best when the animal is lying down. If the boy has taken care of his animal properly, the pig will submit to such handling without any objection. In fact he will like to be played with and will enjoy having his master work with him.
After the pig has been properly groomed he should be kept in a dry stall that is bedded deep with clean straw. If he shows an inclination to root down into the dirt and soil himself by digging beneath his bedding, rings should be placed in his nose. If not absolutely necessary, however, it is better not to ring hogs intended for show.