SWINE 367 



largo litters of pigs. When crossed with fat hogs the result is 

 a good general purpose hog. They have a tendency to have light 

 loins and long legs. 



TcniurortJi. — Native of England. Color, red. Ears large and 

 straight. 



The Tamworths are large in size. They tend to be more rangy 

 and coarser than the I^arge Yorkshire. Otherwise, the two 

 breeds are quite alike for bacon production. The Tamworths 

 are especially hardy. 



The Hampshires or Thin Rinds. — Native of England. Color, 

 black with white belt back of shoulders. Ears straight. 



The Hampshires are medium-sized. They are intermediate 

 in type and sometimes classed as fat hogs. Quality and smooth- 

 ness are characteristic. Usually only a part of the litters have 

 the typical color markings. 



Selection of breeding stock. — It is best not to select breeders 

 until after they are six montlis old. Select the pigs before they 

 are weaned if the selection must be made from young pigs. 



Good individuals with plenty of vigor should be chosen, pre- 

 ferably from prolific dams. 



Tlie boars shoukl be masculine, medium to large in size and 

 rather compact. The sows should be feminine and rather rangy. 



The boar pigs should be separated from the sows after they 

 are six months old. The boars may be used for light service 

 when they are eight months old. The sows may be bred when 

 they are from eight to twelve months old. 



The best time for sows to farrow for spring pigs is in March 

 and April. For fall pigs in August and September. The gesta- 

 tion period for a sow is from one hundred and fourteen to one 

 hundred and eighteen days, easy to remember as three months, 

 three weeks and three days. When a soav is pregnant she is 

 lazy. She shoukl be comp(»lled to exercise. Her feed should be 

 bulky and abundant. 



Management of sow and young pigs. — A w^eek or so before 

 farrowing time, the sow should be placed in a separate pen. The 

 attendant should gain the confidence of the sow so that she will 

 not be afraid. Fenders should be put around the sides of the 

 ])en. A two by six-inch plank eight inches from the floor is good. 

 Short straw should be sparingly provided for a bed. 



A sow will farrow twenty-four hours after the udder fills with 

 milk. Other indications are the gathering of sticks or straw for 

 a bed and uneasiness of the sow. A sow should never be moved 

 or disturbed after she has made her bed or started to farrow. 



