s66 



Journal oj Agriculture. 



[9 Sept., 1907. 



fine snout, full cheeks; the ribs, loin and rump of uniform breadth, 

 back straight, chest deep, broad and prominent, ribs well set and 

 springing well from the chine ; shoulders widely extended and thighs 

 inside and out very thick ; short legs, the bones of which must be fine and 

 the joints small ; skin thin and supple, without looseness ; fine soft hair, 

 which is an indication of sound constitution. Keep this description in 

 your mind, get the boar as near to it as possible, and you will have the 

 ideal Berkshire. 



The breed of the boar is of more importance than that of the sow, 

 as the progeny take more after the male than the female. Bear in mind 

 that both boar and sow will be in condition for breeding purposes at 

 ten months. If used earlier, the generative powers of both will become 

 deteriorated. Gestation lasts sixteen weeks — 112 to 114 days — and it is 

 therefore advisable to mate them so that the sows will have their litters in 

 time to meet with good markets. The height of summer or the depth of 

 winter, should be avoided in the littering of sows. The .sow may be 



BERKSHIRE BROOD SOWS. 



allowed to run about with other pigs up to ten days or a fortnight of 

 parturition. Then pen in comfortable sty, and feed her on soft food. 

 Make her bed of short straw or leaves, but not too much, lest she smother 

 her young by lying on them. Always remember that if the parents are 

 kept healthy, they will tran.smit health to their offspring, and by breeding 

 your stores, you are using ever\ precaution against disease from outside. 

 Castrate the \oung pigs when three weeks old. They can be weaned 

 at eight weeks. Feed them three times a day with warm food, such as 

 skim-milk, butfer-milk, whey, &c., and in about a week they will take 

 the ordinary food with the others. The\' thrive best when fed with 

 regularity. A sow will continue to be prolific for five or six years, and 

 cases are known where they have been so for eight years. It is there- 

 fore, wise to keep a good breeding sow as long as possible, that is, if 

 she is a good mother as well, for young pigs often pro\e poor mothers. 



Uniformity in Feeding and Breeding. 



Xo class of stock pays better than pigs, if well looked after, and 

 great saving is affected by constant attention. Pigs can be fed econo- 



