CHAPTER I. 

 SELECTION OF A BREED. 



Which is the best breed? This question, in its various 

 forms, is the one that is usually asked first. The man who 

 is intending to start in the business of swine husbandry 

 seems to be impressed with the idea that the selection of 

 a breed is the one thing above everything else that is of 

 primary importance. Prevailing conditions have lent con- 

 siderable significance to this idea. But the condition of 

 the herd, the conditions under which it is kept, as well as 

 the general care and management, are often of greater im- 

 portance than the breed itself. Therefore, the herd that 

 is in the best hands will make the best showing, which 

 will usually be accredited to the breed and not to the 

 breeder. 



What is of still greater importance than this are the 

 individuals that are selected from the breed. All breeds 

 are composed of a wide range of individuals, ranging from 

 very superior to very inferior, which, when used in a 

 breeding herd, will produce results accordingly. The 

 breeder, then, who has the best individuals of a given 

 breed, other conditions being equal, will make a better 

 showing than his neighbor who has a different breed but 

 not as good individuals. 



A consideration of prime importance in the selection 

 of a breed is the likes and dislikes of the breeder. One 

 is much more likely to succeed with animals he likes and 

 to fail with other animals of equal merit that he dislikes. 



