248 FEEDING AND MANAGEMENT 



For example, all the pigs in the first litter would have a 

 nip taken out of the lower edge of the left ear next to the head, 

 which represents "No. 1. No. 2 is indicated by taking a nip 

 out of the lower edge of the left ear half way between the base 

 and the tip; and the pigs in the third litter have a nip taken 

 out of the tip of the left ear, and so forth. Between 5 and 10 

 two nicks are necessary. Thus, 6 = 5 + 1- 7^5 + 2. 

 8 = 5 + 3. 9 = 5 + 4. For No. 10, we go to the lower side 

 of the right ear next to the head. Larger numbers call for 

 various combinations, for example : 11 =10 + 1. 12 = 10 + 2. 

 17 = 10 + 5 + 2, etc. The nick should not be made deep, or 

 it will disfigure the ear; just a little deeper than the thickness 

 of the skin is sufficient. If the piece is cut out cleanly, the 

 mark will stay as long as the ear lasts. 



In case a breeder prefers to insert ear labels at the time 

 of weaning, the system of marking described above will be 

 unnecessary, and in the column headed " Ear mark " he would 

 enter the numbers of all the labels used for the litter. 



Instead of ear labels, tattoo markers may be used for white 

 pigs. 



Gestation Table. On page 249 is a gestation table for sows, 

 which will be found convenient for reference. In the table the 

 period of gestation is placed at 112 days, but a great many sows 

 will go a few days past the time stated. Everything should be 

 in readiness, however, before the 112 days are up. 



Business Methods. The importance of supplying registra- 

 tion certificates promptly to customers, and of keeping an 

 accurate record of breeding operations and of animals sold, 

 has already been mentioned ; but, in addition to these records, 

 the breeder should have some method of book-keeping which 

 will show the financial standing of the business. The system 

 need not be complicated, bttt the books should at least show all 



