42 



strongly built sow, with a broad, intelligent face, a docile, quiet 

 disposition, the ability to consume a large quantity of food and 

 certainly to supplj'' an abundance of milk for a litter of generous 

 dimensions. Breeding White Chesters I found that some sows 

 would produce 12 or more, at every litter, while own sisters brought 

 but 7 or 8; also that these large producers would give 2 or 3 pigs 

 or more, which, at four weeks, would weigh 25 pounds, with the 

 balance following closely, while the best I could do with others was 

 18 or 19 pounds. 



It takes a trial trip to gain this information, but a man has 

 himself to blame if he gets a second dose. Blood alone does not 

 insure type desired, though strains of each of the breeds have this 

 well established. Here is where experience is the best teacher. 

 Naturally, enthusiasm will center about the breed which pleases the 

 eye, be it black or white, but profitable pork makers must never 

 lose sight of the standard of utility which must always center in 

 tj'pe adapted to purpose. Looking for special results, a specialized 

 animal is demanded, one bred and built for rapid pork making. 

 Brood sows which are worth using as mothers are worth keeping 

 so long as they will produce. It is ruinous policy to change yearly. 

 Keep a sow as long as she is rugged and productive. Surely no 

 one can justify the use of a grade boar while he may succeed well 

 with grade sows. In a boar look first of all to the character, type, 

 production and disposition of his ancestors on both sides. Find- 

 ing these to be satisfactory, what of the animal himself? Is he 

 strong on his legs, compact rather than long in body, massive in 

 shoulders, with good hams, and, above all, does he possess the 

 shape and character of head wanted in the profitable meat maker? 

 Did he come from a dam noted for large litters of strong, healthy 

 pigs? After making the selection test him, and, if satisfactory, 

 keep him as long as he is of service. Beyond that when the time 

 comes to change be sure and get another of the same breed and still 

 better in every essential. The trials, troubles and disappointments 

 of would-be pork growers may very largely be traced to the use 

 of immature sows or boars, or an almost total neglect of the laws 

 of breeding in making selection. The single fact that one, or the 

 other, is a Chester, Berkshire, Poland China or Yorkshire proves 

 very little, simply for the reason that so many who breed what they 

 term pure-bred stock, either fail to register same or neglect the 

 essential principle of worth and cling to blood alone. On this 

 rock thousands have gone down who aspired to be known as breeders. 

 There is a blood inheritance, which, backed by individual merit is 

 of transcendent value, and this alone wiU satisfy or recompense the 

 breeder. No man looking for the dollars through cheap pork pro- 

 duction can affoi-d to mix breeds. Price in a boar beai-s slight 



