THE SOW : SELECTION AND MANAGEMENT I I I 



"The type of back to be sought is the one that is arched 

 shghtly in the middle, with a sHght and gradual slope 

 toward either extremity. Such a back means strength 

 and power for the hog and money for the grower. 



"There is nothing more 'demoralizing' to a herd than 

 to get some of these sagged-back animals into it, and the 

 greatest care possible should be exercised to keep clear of 

 them. No matter how broad a boar may be or how de- 

 sirable in other respects, he should be strictly avoided if 

 he has a poor back, and the same is true of the brood 

 sow." 



THE FOUNDATION HERD 



Sows selected for a foundation herd should be of uni- 

 form type: not uniform simply by accident, but because 

 uniformity of a good kind is a characteristic of the stock 

 from which they are selected. They should be about 

 the same age, and in pig. Purchase of sows already in 

 pig will save to beginners a considerable outlay at the 

 start. The owner should know the breeding qualities of 

 his sows before selecting a boar, and the most direct 

 method of obtaining this knowledge is by previously 

 having litters from them. 



Selection should be with a view to making the sows' 

 feeding and care as uniform as possible, and to avoid- 

 ing litters of pigs of mixed or varying types. These 

 results may best be secured with sows alike in type, and 

 of the same age, which should be in the neighborhood 

 of a year when selected. If for the foundation of a 

 herd of pure-breds they should come from some well- 

 rated, established breeder. Uniform quality should 



