4-i 



reason is not difficult to find, because a sow must be strong and full of vitality at 

 the time of service in order to produce a large, vigorous litter. 



Period of Gestation. — The period of gestation in sows is usually placed 

 at 112 days. Often, young sows will farrow a few days sooner than the stated time, 

 and old sows will frequently go a few days over it. It is not a good sign when a sow 

 goes much over the sixteen weeks, as the litters are often lacking in vitality when 

 carried much over time. If a sow has been properly handled, she will seldom go 

 more than a few days over sixteen weeks, though there are exceptions to all rules. 



Best Times for Farrowing. — Where winters are at all severe, it requires 

 exceptional skill and equipment to make a success of winter litters. Most farmers 

 will find it safer to have their sows farrow in April and October. It is generally 

 possible to give April pigs a little outdoor exercise at an early stage of their growth, 

 which will be found a great help in keeping them healthy and thrifty. The October 

 pigs will also be able to get outdoor exercise for a time, which will enable them to 



Fig. 11. — Tamworth sow, a prize winner at leading Canadian shows. 



get a good start and make them bettex able to endure the closer confinement neces- 

 sary during winter. 



One or Two Litters. — The man who is breeding for show purposes, and 

 who wishes to have his pigs with the sow as long as possible, as well as get his sows 

 into high condition between litters, will find it necessary to breed his sows only 

 once a year ; but the general practice of farmers is to require their sows to do more 

 than this. There is no good reason why a sow should not produce two litters a 

 year when properly handled, provided that the sow is not to be fitted for the show 

 ring. 



Exercise. — Though exercise is important in the case of the boar, it is doubly 

 important with sows during the period of gestation. Without considerable exercise 

 during this time, sows cannot be made to give satisfactory results. In summer, 

 pasture should be provided in which there is plenty of shade. A good pasture 

 affords ideal conditions for sows, the green feed and the exercise keeping the sows 

 'n the best possible condition. 



