610 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



The SOW goes four months with young, and brings forth 

 from six to twelve, and even so many as twenty at a litter, 

 and that twice a year. At the time of farrowing, the sow 

 must be carefully watched, as it is not uncommon for her 

 to devour her young. 



It has always been found that the best pigs are produced 

 from a full-grown boar ; but when they become aged, the 

 progeny seldom prove good. The sow should be v/ide in the 

 chest, and capacious in the belly ; and if well nursed before 

 weaning, she may procreate at the age of seven or eight 

 months, and produce an excellent litter of young. But, 

 we think ten or twelve months is soon enough to commence 

 breeding, as the animal will by that time have gained 

 sufficient strength to bear the exertion of gestation and par- 

 turition. And no boar should be put to a sow until he is 

 at least a twelvemonth old. 



It is of great importance that sows should farrow in warm 

 weather, as when they produce in the winter season, the 

 pigs are very liable to die with cold. When they are far- 

 rowed late in August, the chances are much against many 

 of them getting through the w^inter ; and those which do 

 are seldom strong and healthy. It is, therefore, advisable 

 to part with these as soon as practicable. 



During pregnancy sows should be kept separate from 

 others which are not in that condition, as by keeping many 

 together, the pigs are liable to be injured in the womb, and 

 even killed, which may have a very prejudicial influence on 

 the rest of the progeny, as well as on the sow. 



It is of great importance to keep the sow and her young 

 in a dry and warm situation, with plenty of good litter ; 

 and neither should be permitted to go abroad in bad wea- 

 ther. When sows have the unnatural propensity of devour- 

 ing their young, they should be carefully watched for some 



