15 



scrub. Never be deceived into purchasing or using animals of this 

 sort. For breeding purposes, as well as feeding, select an animal with 

 broad, deep chest, broad loin, large ham, fair length of body, but not 

 too long, straight on the back or slightl}' arched (never hollow) , small 

 bone in proportion to the flesh, short leg and small feet, small head 

 with wide, heavy chaps, short nose, broad between the eyes, small, 

 thin ear, body neither too light or heavy-coated with hair. He should 

 be selected from a family that shows uniform good qualities, where the 

 pigs run even, look alike, well marked, &c., are the ones to select 

 from, everything else being equal. 



SELECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF BREEDING SOWS. 



In selecting sows with a view to breeding, choose those that are long 

 and rangy, what might be called rather coarse for the breed, rather 

 than those fine drawn, compact, chubby ones. Look to the male for 

 the fine point, rather than the sow, if even well-bred pigs are desired. 

 Even with the best of management there is considerable liability of 

 loss in getting a litter of pigs through the first two weeks of their lives. 

 The tendency of the sow to devour her young is usually the result of 

 costiveness and its accompanying evils. Breeding sows need exercise 

 and plenty of green food, if in its season ; if not, feed plenty of coarse 

 bran and roots, but little, if any, meal. The fact is we consider corn 

 the least desirable food that can be fed to a sow in farrow, for the 

 reason that it causes her whole sj^stem to become feverish and 

 inflamed. If a clear grain diet must be fed, we know of nothing as 

 safe as oats. They are less heating than most other grains, and the- 

 thick skins cause a healthful distension of the bowels. Their food, if 

 possible, should be varied and abundant enough to keep them thriving, 

 yet not sufficient to fatten. An occasional dose of sulphur in their 

 food, as well as charcoal, a supply of which should be constantly at 

 hand, to be given twice a week. It promotes their health by helping 

 digesuon, improving their appetite, etc. They should have access to 

 pure water, and the feed should be occasionally salted. The good 

 luck which some farmers almost invariabl}' have in raising pigs is the 

 result of good management. If a breeding sow is properly fed, kindly 

 treated, petted, she seldom disappoints her owner. Unless one has a 



