86 THE PRACTICAL SIDE OF 



on too much fat, especially if the collar is 

 short. Opinions differ as to the hair, which 

 in some animals is thick and coarse, while in 

 others it is bare and thin and of a silk-like 

 texture. The great point, however, is to 

 secure a sow which has produced strong litters 

 which have grown quickly into large size. 

 If, hovv'ever, a gilt is purchased, she should be 

 of a prolific breed on both sides, strongly 

 built, with a good constitution as far as can 

 be judged. One of the most important features 

 in a breeding sow is a good supply of milk, 

 and in consequence the udder should be well 

 developed and provided with sufficient teats 

 to enable her to feed a good litter. The 

 difference in the supply of milk by different 

 sows of similar size and breed is so remarkable 

 that whereas in one case a litter of ten may 

 be large and fat at the end of nine weeks, in 

 another the majority may be small and 

 unthrifty, and quite unfit for sale. Small 

 size in the sow not only diminishes the size 

 and weight of the young pigs, but the number 

 in a litter. 



Whether a litter should be sold when weaned, 

 fed for porkers or bacon pigs, the owner must 

 decide. He should in consequence keep him- 

 self acquainted with market prices and note 



