ce, the writer saw
near Aarhuss what was then a novelty in the form of a two decker pigsty,
i.e. a sty with a sleeping place above--one could scarcely term it an
upstairs room as access was gained not by stairs but by an inclined
board with struts of wood fastened across it to give a firm holding to
the pigs as they ascended to the upper story. The incline was very
steep, but the pigs seemed to have no difficulty in getting up and down.
The advantages claimed for it by the principal were that the sleeping
compartment was so much cleaner and sweeter; that less straw was
required for bedding, and that the pigs were far more comfortable and
rested better than when boxed up, especially in the summer season when
the heat in the lower portion was very oppressive. The feeding took
place in the lower portion. It was stated that nearly the whole of the
urine and dung was deposited below. This was a great advantage as the
moisture ran off at once into the drains, and the solids were easily
cleared out as there was no litter mixed with them, or the dung could be
readily washed into the drains by water from a hose, which was used in
the summer for the purpose of bathing or of washing the pigs.

The chief objection to the plan would be its expense, as unless the
pigsties were in a barn or a shed already erected for some other purpose
the pigsty would have to be so much higher on the side walls and
consequently more strongly built.

* * * * *

[Illustration: _Photo, Sport and General._

LARGE WHITE SOW, "WORSLEY SUNBEAM."

To face page 112.]

* * * * *

[Illustration: _Photo kindly lent by Kenneth MacRae, R.U.A.S., Balmoral,
Belfast._

LARGE WHITE ULSTER BOAR.]

CHAPTER XIII

THE EXHIBITION OF PIGS

When the exhibition of live stock at our numerous shows became common, a
belief sprang up amongst non-exhibitors that the preparation for show
was most deleterious to the animals shown. It was also contended that
exhibitors were prone to pay attention, to a far greater extent, to the
fancy or show points of the animals which they bred than to those
utility points which are of infinitely more importance to the ordinary
stock breeder and the consumer. It was also believed that the feeding or
training which the show stock underwent seriously affected their
procreative powers, and especially so with the animals of the feminine
gender.

It may at once be fra