Ch. XLL] ON PROCREATION. 511 



its prolongation does not seem to depend eitlier upon the age or constitution 

 of tiie female, or upon the diet, breed, or season ; or, in short, upon any 

 known cause. 



Both male and female show desire for coition at eight or nine months 

 old ; but, although thus prompted by nature, yet the boar should never be 

 allowed to indulge that propensity until he has completed the age of a 

 twelvemonth, and if the sow were also restrained until the same time, she 

 would produce a stronger and a better litter. They are, liowever, frequently 

 brought together at the early age of five or six months. 



Regarding the sex of the progeny^ it is said, in a recent French work 

 on the subject of Generation, that among females who receive the male 

 only once, those who receive him first produce generally more males 

 than females. In proof of which the author, among many instances of 

 similar nature, adduces the following : — A boar was admitted on the same 

 day to two sows of two years old, of the same strength, and the issue of 

 the same litter: the first produced nine males and a female ; the other, 

 nine females and a male. A young boar, of about five months old, was 

 afterwards admitted to two sows of the same litter as the boar : the one 

 which first received him produced five males and two females ; and the 

 other, four hours later, six females and two males. He therefore recom- 

 mends attention to the fact in the reproduction of all domestic animals ; 

 and, if it be supported by further experience, the hint may be found useful 

 to the breeders of neat-cattle and horses *. 



The choice of a boar depends so much upon fancy, or local prejudice, in 

 favour of a particular breed, and is so little governed by either soil or 

 climate, that no other general rule can be laid down upon the subject, 

 than to avoid an animal which is not small-headed, deep and broad 

 in the chest, the chine rather arched, the ribs and barrel well rounded, 

 and the haunch falling full down nearlv to the hock. He should also 

 be more compact in his form, and rather smaller than the sow; for, 

 if she be coarse, her progeny will be improved in form and flesh by the 

 cross, and the more roomy she is, the better chance will she afford of pro- 

 ducing a large and healthy litter. Respecting her make, no other ob- 

 servation need be made than to choose her of a deep and capacious belly, 

 with as sightly an appearance, and belonging to as good a race as can be 

 procured. It should be also seen that she has at least ten or a dozen 

 teats ; for it has been frequently observed that each sucking pig attaches 

 itself to a particular teat, and if there be not one for each that is born, 

 the supernumerary can only get a pull here and there wken the others 

 have satisfied themselves, and therefore soon falls ofl". 



The boar should be well fed, and should not be strained by being allowed 

 to serve too many sows ; about twenty being generally sufficient. The sow 

 should also be kept in good heart, so as to support her numerous offspring, 

 but should not be made fat before taking the boar ; for if in very high order 

 she will probably bring but an indifferent litter of pigs. She will also, in 

 such case, be again ready for taking the male very soon after farrow- 

 ing, and although it would be better deferred, yet her being indulged 

 will keep her quiet and induce her feeding. If not then served, she will at 

 all events be again in season immediately after her young pigs have beeii 

 weaned, and should, without delay, have the company of the boar. Tliis, 

 however, must be understood with some reservation regarding the time of 



' '■'■ Giron, " Sur la RSproduclion des Animaux Domesliques."— Annates des Sciences 

 Naturelles, Mai 1830. 



