16 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



We have had some experience in breeding pure-blood hogs 

 first and last ; and while we would not discourage any one 

 from engaging in the business with a view to supplying the 

 demands for such stock for breeding, and for the purpose of 

 fattening, still we would especially recommend such breeds 

 as the Suffolk, Essex, small and medium Yorkshire, and 

 Berkshires, to cross with the common stock of the country. 

 No matter how coarse and common the sows may be, if bred 

 to a good boar of one of the above breeds, the result will be 

 the most satisfactory. Why? Because the offspring will 

 possess all the good qualities of the sire. These are : 1st, 

 gentleness ; 2d, small bones and light offal ; 3d, good feeders, 

 making the most of what they consume ; 4th, easy to fatten 

 at any age. These, with the strong, vigorous constitutions 

 which they receive from their dam, will make them the ne 

 plus ultra of a family pig for fattening. 



SELECTION OF THE MALE. 



The selection of the male in breeding is of the first impor- 

 tance. Not only should he be a thorough-bred, but, what is 

 of still greater importance, he should be well bred. We are 

 sorry to observe that many worthless animals are saved, and 

 sold for breeding-purposes, for the reason of their " fancy 

 pedigree," or because they were from imported stock, or were 

 raised by Col. So-and-So, or out of stock that cost so many 

 hundreds or perhaps thousands. Too many specimens of 

 this class have found their way among the farmers. There 

 could be but one result of breeding from such stock. For 

 this reason, pure bloods are not looked upon with that favor 

 to which their merits entitle them, and which they would 

 have received, had it not been for the dissemination of this 

 worthless stock. 



We do not believe it best to breed from so-called native 

 male animals, when the use of good thorough-bred males, 

 tluit produce such vastly superior results, can be secured 

 without too much trouble or expense. But, poor as these 

 native scrubs sometimes may be, we know of no animal that 

 is quite as worthless as a thorough-bred scrub. Never be de- 

 ceived into purchasing or using animals of this sort. For 

 breeding-purposes, as well as feeding, select an animal with 

 broad, deep chest, broad loin, large ham, fair length of body, 



