PREFACE 



In the preparation of material for this book, the author 

 has worked with a twofold purpose, — namely, to prepare a 

 book which will serve as a text-book for agricultural students, 

 and to place at the disposal of the busy farmer a reference book 

 which will give him, in concise form, the findings of the best 

 experiment stations in regard to the problems involved in the 

 successful handling of swine. As to whether these objects have 

 been attained, the public must be the judge. 



In the treatment of the different breeds of swine, and 

 other topics where favoritism or partiality is possible, it has 

 been the purpose of the writer to state the exact truth and give 

 " both sides of the case." Where direct comparisons are ad- 

 vantageous, they have been made without fear of criticism. 



Although the treatment of each topic is concise, it has 

 been the desire to make the survey of the field as cosmo- 

 politan as possible, — ^no single section of the country has been 

 in the writer's mind. 



'No effort has been made to avoid the practical sides of 

 the subject in order that a certain type of schools might prefer 

 the book. On the other hand, the practical sides have been 

 placed foremost, with the belief that all students as well as 

 breeders should prefer to think of the subject in a practical 

 way. An effort has been made, however, to treat the matter 

 concisely and logically, and arrange the topics in order. The 

 chapters have been grouped into seven parts to make them more 

 easily referred to by both students and breeders. 



The review questions at the end of each chapter are given 

 for the use of students who may not be thinking of the sub- 



