458 FARMING FOR LADIES, [chap, xxiil. 



young pigs which are to be killed as porkers, 

 or kept as mere stores for the consumption 

 of garbage ; but, if a breeding sow is to be 

 maintained, then one of the best kind should 

 be chosen ; and we should recommend one 

 of a cross with either the Berkshire, the 

 Essex, or the Suffolk, and a Chinese or Nea- 

 politan : the first with the last of these being, 

 perhaps, the best. 



In speaking of them collectively, they 

 are called either swine, pigs, or hogs; but 

 when distinctively named, the male — when 

 not castrated — is styled a " boar," and the 

 female a " sow." Their whole progeny when 

 just born, is called a "litter," or a "far- 

 row;" but are singly — while very young — 

 termed " sucking pigs," or " roasters ;" when 

 a little more advanced, " porkers ;" then 

 " stores ;" and finally, when put up to be 

 fattened, " bacon-hogs." 



Both male and female show a desire for 

 coition at eight or nine months old ; but if 

 this propensity be not indulged until each 

 have completed a year, the sow will gene- 

 rally produce a better litter. The term of 

 gestation is usually calculated at four calen- 



