THE uoar: selection Ax\d management 87 



peniianeiitly, and perhaps the loss outright of the ani- 

 mal itself. At his home the boar's family characteristics 

 and breeding- traits may be better learned than in any 

 other place, and the purchaser can better discover whether 

 the animal selected comes, as he should, in a majority of 

 cases, from a family or strain that is, as he himself 

 should be, somewhat more compact that the females 

 upon which he is to be used, or if he is otherwise suit- 

 able to correct in the otfspring the deficiencies possessed 

 by the sows. 



After taking a boar to a new home it is generally 

 preferable, at first, to follow, so far as may be practi- 

 cable, any rational system (^f management and feeding 

 to which he has been accustomed, until he shall have 

 become acquainted with his new attendant and surround- 

 ings. 



CHOOSING IJV PERSONAL INSPECTION 



\\'hene\-er possible tlie breeder ought to inspect per- 

 sonally the animal he selects as his herd boar, but when 

 he finds himself unable to do this and has no competent 

 representative, he should endeavor to make the best se- 

 lection possible by mail by detailing his needs, and the 

 deficiencies of his sows. Ordering by mail should be 

 considered a last resort, to be done only when the pur- 

 cliaser cannot buy near home, or for other good rea- 

 sons is unable to give his personal attention to the 

 matter. When that is the case the purchase should be 

 made from a breeder known to be reputable, and the needs 

 of the bu}er and the price he figures on paying should be 



