BREEDS OF SWINE 427 



limited, and this particular phase is in dispute, it can do no harm 

 to select breeding animals according to the old ideas. The visible 

 organs of the reproductive system should be well developed and 

 clearly defined. A boar should not be bought with small, indef- 

 initely placed testicles. Avoid particularly a boar with only one 

 testicle visible. 



The boar should stand up on his toes. There should not be the 

 slightest indication of weakness in the pasterns of a young one ; in a 

 mature boar (2 or 3 years of age) that has seen hard service it may 

 be expected that he will be a little down on his pasterns, but a 6 or 8 

 months old pig that does not carry himself on upright pasterns is 

 not a safe animal to select for a herd boar; the hind pastern will be 

 in much danger of breaking down with a little age and service. 

 Look carefully to the set of the hind legs. The hock should be 

 carefully set and straight. A crooked hock is as great a drawback 

 as a weak pastern. (F. B. 205.) 



The selection of the boar to be used cannot be too carefully 

 done. The saying "the sire is half the herd" is very true because 

 he exerts his influence on every pig in the herd if only one sire is in 

 service. For this reason it is very imperative that the boar be equal 

 and if anything superior to the sows. If one's yearly pig crop is to 

 be superior to that of the preceding year, it can be done with the 

 least expense by getting a better boar than formerly used. Grade 

 herds can soon be improved in merit through the use of good boars. 

 The progress made with the pure bred herd must come also in this 

 way. 



In selecting a boar get one that has male characteristics well 

 developed, which are indicated by a strong rather than a feminine 

 head, a well-crested neck and plenty of vitality. If the boar is 12 

 months old or over a strong development of shoulder may be allow- 

 able, although undue coarseness in these parts is not desirable. In 

 addition to the masculine characters he should possess these points 

 relative to form that are desirable in his breed and class. Good 

 heart girth to furnish a large capacity for the vital organs is essen- 

 tial in all breeding animals. (N. D. B. 83.) 



The boar must first show the characteristics of the breed to 

 which he belongs. He should show masculinity, especially in the 

 head. The neck should be short, the shoulders smooth and com- 

 pact on top, deep and wide between the legs. The body should be 

 long, smooth and evenly fleshed, with a slight arch and a wide, 

 strong loin. 



The hind quarters should be long, deep and wide, well let down 

 in the ham and having a width equal to that of the shoulders and 

 body. The legs should be short, with strong, fine bones. He should 

 be active, yet of docile and quiet disposition. 



The most vigorous young are produced from animals that have 

 reached maturity. A strong and vigorous herd cannot be built up 

 by breeding continuously from young boars and gilts. The practice 

 of buying boars from 6 to 8 months old, because they are cheap, 

 using them on herds two seasons, and then marketing, cannot meet 



