BREEDING AND BEARING PIGS. 193 



they are to be kept until they have nearly attained their 

 growth before being fattened. Reference must also be 

 had as to whether we wish large hogs, or smaller and 

 finer ones at a less age. Much, too, will depend upon 

 the sow we wish to breed from. 



Defective as the majority of our pigs are, there are, 

 nevertheless, few sections where we cannot find some 

 strong, vigorous sows, of good size, suitable for crossing 

 with the improved breeds. This is especially true where 

 the Chester County pigs have been introduced. "We could 

 not ask for better sows to start with than a grade Chester 

 County sow. It is an easy matter to find strong, vigor- 

 ous sows, of good size, in any neighborhood where the 

 Chester County or similar large breeds have been intro- 

 duced. 



If a farmer wishes to keep hogs until they are from 

 fourteen to eighteen months old, letting them run in the 

 barn-yard the first winter, and in a clover pasture and 

 stubbles the next summer, and to be fattened in the fall, 

 he cannot go wrong in selecting a large, vigorous, some- 

 what coarse sow, showing more or less Chester County 

 blood. Then put her to either an Essex, Berkshire, Suffolk, 

 or Small or Medium Yorkshire boar. We think it mat- 

 ters comparatively little which of these breeds is used, 

 provided, always, that they are good specimens of the 

 breed, and are thorough-bred. Better pay five dollars for 

 the use of a thorough-bred than accept the service of a 

 grade or common boar for nothing. 



If the sow has had pigs, say the middle of March, they 

 may be weaned in six weeks ; and if the so\v has been 

 properly fed, she will take the boar in a few days after 

 the pigs are weaned. We should then get one litter of 

 say grade Essex about the first of September. The 

 sow, during the summer, should, if possible, have the 

 run of a clover pasture ; and, if she is not in good, thriving 

 condition, with this, and the wash or milk from the house, 

 9 



