556 SUCCESSFUL FARMING 



strain. The same thing is true in the selection of a herd boar or any other 

 animal that is to be used for breeding. It is a wise precaution to visit the 

 herd from which the animals are to be selected, in order to study the prepo- 

 tency of the sire that is at its head. It is also very important to avoid the 

 introduction of barrenness or sterility in the herd. The sires selected should 

 be strong, vigorous and in thrifty condition. Since the sire will be used on 

 a number of animals, it is important that he be given the greatest considera- 

 tion, both as to individuality and pedigree. 



Pedigree. — The mere fact that an animal is pure-bred and has a 

 pedigree is not an indication of its being a desirable animal. The pedi- 

 gree is not a guaranty of excellence in the animal. There are many poor 

 pure-bred individuals as well as desirable individuals. A combination 

 of good individuality, together with a pedigree tracing back to known 

 ancestry, will usually result in the securing of desirable animals. 



Gestation Period.— The farmer or livestock breeder must keep a 

 record of the breeding dates of his animals. This should be done so that 

 he may know at what time they are to produce their young. The gesta- 

 tion period varies with the various classes of animals. For cows, it is 

 about 9 months, or approximately 280 days; for mares, 11 months, or 

 approximately 340 days; for ewes, 5 months, or about 150 days; for sows, 

 4 months, or about 112 days. The gestation period for all animals as 

 stated is only approximate, and has been known to vary a number of 

 days from this period. It is well, however, to watch the animals closely 

 at the end of the number of days given for each class of livestock. 



CARE OF LIVESTOCK 



The breeding, feeding and management of livestock must be combined 

 for the greatest success. Each class of livestock must be given special 

 care and attention, and a system worked out to meet the needs of the 

 farm. The feeding of the young animals, for instance, should not begin 

 at the time of birth, as is so often the case, but should be properly carried 

 on during the gestation period. The young life begins at the time of breed- 

 ing and for the greatest development must be properly nourished throughout 

 the gestation period. A well-bred animal does not guarantee the pro- 

 duction of a desirable individual unless the animal is properly fed, so that 

 the growing fcetus may be properly nourished. Young growing animals 

 must have an abundance of food that is rich in protein and mineral matter 

 for the development of muscle and bone rather than fattening material. 

 This, combined with proper exercise and plenty of fresh air and sunlight, 

 will result in a properly developed individual. 



Preparation of Feeds — In feeding livestock, it is necessary to econo- 

 mize on the use of grains; yet at the same time, it is not a wise plan to carry 

 this economy to an extreme. The method of preparing the feed for stock 

 will vary with the different classes of livestock and the different kinds of 

 feeds used. Cooking feed for hogs was at one time considered a desirable 



