THE BOAR ; SELECTION AND MANAGEMENT 85 



and as these symptoms are more or less intense, they in- 

 dicate acute or chronic weakness, and lack of constitu- 

 tion. Well may it therefore be said that cunstitution is 

 of the greatest importance. There is always unity in 

 animal nature. A fine external form is the result of su- 

 perior internal organism. Then, in selecting breeding 

 swine, select those which have broad, straight, or 

 slightly arched backs, large, deep chests, full sides and 

 flanks, good, tough, stout feet and legs, bright, lively 

 eyes, smooth, soft and close-lying hair, and a soft, elastic 

 skin. Such an animal will likely have a good constitu- 

 tion. On the other hand, avoid sunken and narrow backs, 

 flat, narrow chests and sides, pinched flanks, weak, 

 crooked or deformed legs and feet, harsh, dry hair, dull, 

 red or watery eyes, and a harsh, dry skin." 



A GOOD DISPOSITION VALUABLE 



A boar's disposition has much to do with his work. 

 There have been famous boars with ugly dispositions, and 

 good animals are sometimes ill-behaved because of asso- 

 ciation with indifferent owners who lacked in patience 

 and had bad tempers. These facts should be given due 

 weight, yet it should be remembered that in disposition 

 the hog that is wanted is one that comes near to have his 

 back scratched. A friendly, manageable, quiet dispo- 

 sition is a great aid to profitable swine raising, while 

 the boar of quarrelsome, fighting nature is a money loser. 

 Much of this, too, is as applicable to the owner as to the 

 animal. Fretfulness. natural at the breeding age. or in 

 surroundings tending to promote it, should not be mis- 



