PROLIFIC BREEDING MONTHS. 187 



his prime at two years. In other respects, the age 

 of swine is matter of small concern, since they are 

 never kept until they are old ; and it is the custom 

 with many breeders to slaughter even their most pro- 

 lific sows in the second year. The young sows to be 

 preserved for breeding, should be chosen with deep 

 and capacious bellies, the full number of teats, and 

 of the most extensive or widest general form. The 

 term of GESTATION in swine is four months, or one 

 hundred and fifteen days, with a very few days va- 

 riation, producing three litters of from five to twelve 

 pigs each, in about eighteen months, supposing the 

 pigs to be weaned ; but in two or three months less 

 time, the pigs being suckled for roasters. Greater 

 numbers to a litter are often produced, more par- 

 ticularly by the China breeds and its crosses, the 

 most prolific of swine : and we had a late instance 

 in Essex, of a sow of that breed, the property of 

 Mr. Tilney, of Writtle, which farrowed 301 pigs in 

 13 litters, out of which she actually brought up 177, 

 or more than 13 to a litter. I have, however, found, 

 and more especially in the large breeds, that a litter 

 of a moderate number is most profitable, since in 

 the numerous litters there are generally several un- 

 dersized and weak individuals, which never attain 

 much proof. Thus a litter of nine or ten good pigs 

 may bring more profit than a litter of thirteen or 

 fourteen. 



After receiving the BOAR, for which the middle 

 of SEPTEMBER and the middle of MARCH are the 

 most advantageous seasons, the sow should be con- 

 fined until her irritability has ceased, which will re- 



