938 THE PEOPLE'S FARM AND STOCK CYCLOPEDIA. 



free from bristles, denotes a healthy liver, and freedom from in- 

 ternal fever. A fine muzzle and limbs, clean small joints, and 

 standing square up on the feet, denotes solidity, strength, and 

 firmness of the animal's frame-work ; while the dished or con- 

 cave face, and slightly drooping ear, are unerring signs of an 

 easy keeper, and a quiet, contented disposition." 



Keep in mind in selecting the boar that the hog is a machine 

 for converting raw material into a more condensed and valuable 

 article, and that health, vigor, and well developed digestive or- 

 gans are the essential qualifications, and the chief value of the 

 points given are that they are indications of these qualities. 

 Whatever the breed, he should be pure, and it is well to inspect 

 the herd from which he is taken to see if the animals show uni- 

 formity of excellent points, and if it is found that there is great 

 diversity, I would not advise that a boar be purchased from such 

 a herd, no matter what his individual excellences. 



The treatment of the boar is a matter of importance. An 

 animal that has been stuffed and coddled for the show-ring is 

 not likely to give as good satisfaction as one that has had only 

 ordinary care. Many a boar is ruined by being confined in a 

 close pen with no chance for exercise, and fed on rich concen- 

 trated food until he has become sluggish and unfit to generate 

 healthy offspring. It is often the case that the boar is allowed 

 to run with the herd to tease and worry until he becomes gaunt 

 and unthrifty, and no management could well be worse, for no 

 record can be kept of coupling, and as a consequence the owner 

 does not know when to expect the pigs, and does not prepare a 

 place for them. Thousands of pigs are lost every year from 

 neglect of this matter. The boar should have a comfortable pen 

 with a lot adjoining, and the fence should be strong, for if he 

 once breaks out and gets a taste for roaming he will be likely 

 to prove troublesome. His food should be varied, and, while 

 nutritious, should not be too concentrated, and he should be kept 

 healthy and vigorous, but not fat. If the boar is properly man- 

 aged and cared for he may be kept for two or more years, and 

 will be vastly superior to a young pig. With a pen properly 

 arranged and strongly made there is no reason why a boar should 



