26 BIGCiLE SWINB BOOK. 



During the summer season the boar should be 

 allowed the run of a grass lot if possible, and should 

 be fed some grain, but not kept too fat At the breed- 

 ing season he should be in a strong and vigorous con- 

 dition, and from this time on through the breeding 

 season he should be fed quite liberally of stimulating 

 but not fattening food. Let him be rather gaining 

 flesh during the breeding season than losing flesh. 



Do not turn him loose with the sows. This I 

 confess is more convenient, but if the experience of 

 good breeders is worth anything it is dear convenience. 

 Keep him in a pen. alone near the sows, and when a 

 sow is in heat allow him to serve her once, and then 

 return him to his pen, A boar fully grown and prop- 

 erly fed may be allowed to serve two sows a day for 

 several days in succession, if necessary, but this should 

 not be continued indefinitely if the best results are to 

 be expected. About one sow a day on an average is 

 about the limit 



Disappointing litters not infrequently result from 

 over-service of the male. 



BRISTLES. 

 Avoid in-breeding. 



It will pay every time tp use * thoroughbred boar. 

 The sire should have bran or oats ; fed for vigor, not lor fat. 

 The young boar should be trained to be driven ; it can be 

 done. 



An ungovernable boar is a great nuisance and always dan- 



Neighbors sometimes jjoin in buying a good, thoroughbred 

 boar, charging fees to outsiders. 



Beware of the scrub thoroughbred. Blood without quality 

 is worse than quality without btood. 



