Jge — Form — Gestation. 243 



two years. In other respects tlie age of 

 swine is matter of small concern, since 

 tliey are never kept until they are old ; 

 and it is the custom with many breeders, 

 to slaughter even their most prolific sows, 

 in the second year. The young sows to 

 be preserved for breeding, should be cho- 

 sen with deep and capacious bellies, the 

 full number of teats, and of the most ex- 

 tensive or widest general form. The term 

 of GESTATION iu swiuc is four months, or 

 one hundred and fifteen days, with a very 

 few days variation, producing three litters 

 of from five to twelve pigs each, in about 

 eighteen months, supposing the pigs to be 

 weaned ; but in two or three months less 

 time, the pigs being suckled for roasters. 

 Greater numbers to a litter, are often pro- 

 duced, more particularly by the China 

 breeds and its crosses, the most prolific of 

 swine : and we had a late instance in Es- 

 sex, of a sow of that breed, the property 

 of Mr. Tilney of Writtle, which farrow&d 

 301 pigs in 13 litters, out of which she ac- 

 tually brought up 177, or more than 13 to 

 a litter. m 2 



