SWINE 67 



all the more marked if the original pure-breds used are very different and 

 less true if they are very similar. 



Age of Breeding Stock. Mature sows as compared to gilts enjoy 

 some very marked and practical advantages, as follows: 



1. A larger number of pigs at farrowing time. 



2. Heavier, stronger, bigger-boned new-born pigs. 



3. More pigs usually saved to each sow up to weaning time, hence more 

 reach the market. 



4. They are tried mothers, the undesirable brood sows being naturally 

 eliminated. 



5. Less high-priced protein feeds are needed to supplement the cheaper 

 carbohydrates. 



6. More rough feeds may be used, such as alfalfa hay and pasture. 



7. Matured and tried-out sires can be used to advantage; this 

 ofttimes not being feasible with young gilts unless a breeding crate is 

 used. 



8. Immunized, cholera-proof sows may be continuously kept, and the 

 expense and bother of the annual immunization of young sows thus 

 eliminated. 



9. Two litters a year are raised with less difficulty. All young gilts 

 cannot raise two litters successfully the first year. 



10. Less loss in condition during the suckling period. 



11. More dependable as breeders. 



The disadvantages of sows older than gilts are not to be overlooked, 

 and are as follows: 



1. Require more feed. 



2. More house room necessary. 



3. If the "one litter a year" practice is followed these sows must be 

 carried through a six months' unproductive period, which is relatively 

 expensive. 



4. Greater capital investment imperative. 



5. Greater risk involved because of the greater capital invested. 



6. Swine money not turned so often because the sows are kept longer 

 and not sold annually as are the gilts. 



7. Docked more on marketing, ofttimes twenty-five cents per hun- 

 dred, than "trim-bellied" gilts. 



8. Gains while "fattening off for market" more expensive. 



9. Usually need an older, mature boar, because the younger ones 

 are not so handily used; hence, the breeding more difficultly managed. 



10. Apt to become overfat, clumsy and awkward, and hence overlie 

 the new-born pigs. This tendency to overfatness must be carefully 

 guarded against. 



11. More difficult, generally speaking, to manage. 



In profitable practice, a happy combination of both gilts and old 

 sows may be kept to good advantage. The breeder of pure-bred swine 



