THE HORSE BREEDING. 583 



been well kept from calf to heifer is large enough and old 

 enough to be served at eighteen months. Some of the best 

 cows we have ever known were bred at fifteen months of age. 

 But the danger of check in growth is largely obviated by the 

 generous and rich feed always at hand, when the greatest strain 

 is made on the system. 



As the male is to be valued for quality, size and vigor, these 

 must be conserved and fostered until the size and strength and 

 highest vigor are attained. Hence, the male can not be put to 

 service so young as the female. This general principle applies 

 to all males. 



The Sow. The sow intended for a breeder will for the 

 same reasons given above prove a better suckler and a surer 

 breeder than if not bred until her size and form have matured. 

 But, in breeding swine, we have first of all things, in the West 

 especially, to look to the vigor and health of progeny. When 

 the animal is a glutton, and the supply of food abundant, and 

 too rich in starch and oil, as is our chief feed, corn, we may well 

 have a great care that we do not put sows to breeding until their 

 systems are well developed. Sows farrowed in March or April 

 may safely be bred to farrow their first litter the next April or 

 May. Sows farrowed in the fall should not farrow until the sec- 

 ond spring. By this arrangement they have the necessary ma- 

 turity and strength, and the pigs come at a season when the 

 weather is mild, and grass is of best quality and abundant. 

 The pigs attain good size and strength before the flies and heat 

 will begin to annoy and tax their strength. 



The Mare. The time to breed the mare is somewhat gov- 

 erned by the same principles above enumerated. The horse is 

 bred for force rather than fash, or milk ; hence, the first thought 

 should be to ensure the highest possible conservation of vigor 

 and health consistent with economy. 



The mare at three years old, if properly fed, is large enough 

 and strong enough to endure the tax of maternity. Yet her 

 muscles, tendons, and bones are not so firmly fixed as to endure 

 hard labor without injury. She can be handled and gentled by 

 moderate use only, at this age. Enough of such use may be 



