CHAPTER IIL 

 Breeding, Gestation, Parturition. 



BREEDING, ETC. 



Like all our other domestic animals, the hog has, of 

 late years, been much improved, and nearly a uniform 

 shaped animal is now generally diffused throughout 

 Great Britain and Ireland. In the latter country, fifty 

 years ago, the prevailing character was more that of a 

 greyhound than of a hog : long-bodied and legged, 

 high-backed, and leanness, being their ordinary char- 

 acteristics. 



The body should be of moderate length ; the head 

 broad and rather flat ; the carcase well rounded and 

 compact ; the legs of moderate length, and rather 

 short than otherwise, and fine in the bone ; the 

 shoulders broad, breast wide, and the quarters full ; 

 the hide must be fine and thin, and the ears rather 

 small ; the feet should be rather small, with the claws 

 upright and even. The form which we have particu- 

 larised holds good, whether the animals be of a large 

 or small size. 



The sow goes four months with young, and brings 

 forth from six to twelve, and even so many as twenty 

 at a litter, and that twice a year. At the time of far- 

 rowing, the sow must be carefully watched, as it is 

 not uncommon for her to devour her young. 



It has always been found that the best pigs are 



