MANAGEMENT OF THOROUGH-BKED PIGS. 207 



alone, fed moist, makes a good winter diet in such a case. 

 But so far as our observation extends, where one pig is 

 injured from over-feeding, ten are stunted in growth from 

 want of a regular and abundant supply of appropriate 

 food. 



At eight or nine months old, a boar of the small breeds, 

 if kept in the way we have recommended, will have nearly 

 completed his growth, and may be allowed to serve a few 

 sows. But be careful not to let him have so many as to 

 reduce himself materially in flesh, or check his growth. 

 One service is sufficient for a sow, and to allow more is a 

 mere waste of the strength and energies of the boar, and 

 is probably injurious to the sow. To let a young thorough- 

 bred boar serve a number of common sows, at a dollar a 

 head, is mere folly. The English breeders usually charge 

 a sovereign. 



When the boar has attained his growth, he will not re- 

 quire as rich food. He should, however, have enough to 

 keep him in perfect health and vigor. He should always 

 have enough to fill his stomach. Bran and roots, or 

 green clover, will ordinarily keep him in good condition. 

 But when he is in active service, he must have richer food. 

 In regard to the number of sows a full grown boar should 

 be allowed to serve, it must be remembered that the 

 proper season for having the sows come in is comparatively 

 limited. From the middle of October until the first of 

 December the boar is most in demand, and at this time, 

 if full grown, may be allowed to serve twenty or twenty- 

 five sows, and the same number during the spring season. 



If the boar is a very valuable one, and it is intended to 

 keep him for several years, he should be restricted to 

 fewer sows say eight or ten in a season. On the other 

 hand, a boar that we intend to alter and fatten as soon as 

 the season is over, may be allowed to serve all the com- 

 mon or grade sows that his strength will permit say 

 seventy-five or eighty during three months. 



