PIGS 87 



much where a number of pigs are kept and a 

 boar solely for them. The boar used should 

 have the qualities of early maturity, quick 

 growth, docility of temper, and should be of the 

 form desired in the offspring. A good boar is 

 really more essential than a good sow, as the 

 male has greater powers of transmitting his 

 qualities than the female. A docile disposition 

 in the boar is very necessary, as bad temper 

 is easily transmitted to the offspring, which 

 adversely affects their fattening. Both boars 

 and sows are used for breeding when eight 

 months old. 



The brood sow should be good-tempered, 

 with exceptionally wide hips and long back ; she 

 should have twelve teats, all likely to give milk 

 in due course. 



Sows are generally mated in April and 

 October, and during gestation should not be 

 pampered but allowed to rough it, particularly 

 keep them from animal food (especially after- 

 births), as they acquire a taste for eating their 

 pigs that way. A week before farrowing she 

 should get sloppy food, which will bring her 

 milk up, keep her bowels in order and her 

 blood cool. After farrowing the sow is fed on 



