CHAPTER III. 



Breeds^ Popularity and Distribution 



Breeders of the leading- breeds of swine have associa- 

 tions for registering; the pechgrees of the best of their 

 pure-bred stock, estabhshing and maintaining standards 

 of excellence, and advancing- tlie merits and interests of 

 the breeds generally. The number of pure-bred regis- 

 tered hogs in America is perhaps about one-half of one 

 per cent of the total number of swine, but the influence 

 of this pin-c-bred stock is vastly more important than 

 these ligures would (~»n their face seem to indicate. 



CHOICE OF BREEDS 



Every breed has its admirers and promoters, who urge 

 its excellence and adaptability. The question of the 

 "best breed" will always be open for discussion, but 

 success in swine husbandr}^ depends much more upon the 

 best man and the best food than upon this or that breed. 

 In some sections certain breeds will remain the most pop- 

 ular because of tlieir adaptal)iHty to the climate of these 

 sections. Thus, in that part of the United States west 

 of the 85th meridian the white hog is not looked upon 

 with favor, because there white swine are more liable to 

 be sun-scalded or to have scurvy, if not mangy skins. In 

 the corn belt the extreme bacon types doubtless will never 

 Ije most popular because their characteristics are not 



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