92 SWINE IN AMERICA 



reason that his progeny will be quite likely to partake of 

 the good qualities of the ancestry rather than the indif- 

 ferent qualities of the individual. There are many ex- 

 ceptions to this rule, and experiment is. therefore, the 

 sure way of proving the prepotency of the individual. 

 It is always best, howe\'er, to choose a sire that has both 

 excellent breeding and individual excellence of form and 

 quality in every respect." 



AGE FOR SELECTION 



It does not follow by any means that the handsomest 

 pig will make the best boar, and selection at an early, im- 

 mature age involves much guesswork, which is bad policy 

 in any corner of the farm. Possibly the other fellow, 

 who comes early, and, as it were, buys the pig in a poke, 

 may get the best, but under the law of averages it is less 

 expensive to pay the extra dollars for the animal more 

 nearly matured and let the other fellow do the gambling. 

 The boar's worth and possibilities may be sized up then 

 with greater certainty and with a degree of knowledge 

 not attainable when he is still at an immature age. If al- 

 ready tested he has then available proof of his breeding 

 quality. At the same time it is desirable to make a se- 

 lection and do the moving of a new boar long enough in 

 advance to have him feel at home in his new quarters, 

 and, when tlie breeder is well enough situated to permit 

 his doing so. to test out his mating qualifications so that 

 it may be known with greater certainty that he is in 

 those respects all that sliould be expected. This, in many 



