Chapter 9, Item 50a
Duties of the Swineherd
15. There are in Illiria, and Paeonia, and Macedonia, Swine (as Aristotle Affirmeth) that have whole Hoofs, like Horses.
A Swine-Heard, is the Keeper, or tender of Swine, whose office it is to instruct, or accustom the Swine, to the sound of a Horn, and shouting, or any other noise, whereby to call the Swine together to feeding.
To be careful of their feeding, and observe their time of farrowing; to make choise of Breeders, and those fit for store.
To avoid confusion amongst the Swine, he must see, that the Young Pigs suck none but their own Dams, and if there be more then the Sow can feed, to Kill some. better then to lose all.
To keep the Sty clean, for though their nature be to Wallow in the mire, yet they love to lie clean, and to have in their Styes several Porches or Hatches to severe and to distinguish their lodging, that so they may not lie one upon another.
To look to the Gelding or Splaying of the Swine, for it is a good thing to have the Art of a Sow-gelder, or Hog-gelder; Such Gelded Swine in English we call a Gelded Male, a Barrow-Hog, and a Female Basse, which is best done, and most safely in the Spring and Autumn.
To be careful in ordering remedies, in case any Diseases fall upon them, for they are subject to many distempers.
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Chapter 9, Item 50c
Swine equipment
Things necessary for keeping of Swine.
17. A Swine herd, the Swine keeper, a Tenter of Swine.
A Hogherd, a keeper of Hogs.
A Swinecote, a place to keep and fatten Swine in.
A Stie, is the out-courts, or limits of the Swine coat in which they walk and eat their Meat; but generally we call both the Cote and its outlet a Stie.
A Trough, or Stone Trough, a hollow place cut in Wood or Stone, in which the Swine have their Wash-meat given them.
Washings, as Whey, Butter-milk, Dish-water, any kind of Draff.
Straw, to ly on.
Corn, as Pease or Beans, Acorns, Chestnuts and other Fruit, to feed and fatten them.
Grass, Roots, Wisells, Grains, to nourish them up till the time of feeding.
Rings, or Staples to put into their Noses to keep them from Rooting.
Yokes, to put about their Necks to keep them from from running through hedges, and breaking them down.
Crucks, or Cans, to carry their Meat and Draff in.
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