224 FEEDING AND MANAGEMENT 



stances. During the season when he is used most he will 

 require liberal treatment, but at no time should he be fed more 

 than he will eat up clean before leaving the trough. During 

 comparatively idle seasons, a very light meal ration will be 

 sufficient, and if on good pasture he will require but little feed 

 in addition. It is entirely a matter of judgment, and the 

 feeder must at all times be governed by the condition of the 

 boar. 



It is never wise to make sudden changes in the ration, — 

 that is, to change suddenly from a light ration to a heavy 

 one, or from a heavy ration to a light one. Changes should be 

 made gradually, and the feeder, who will know just about when 

 the heaviest season commences, should start in plenty of time 

 to prepare the boar for it. 



Breeding Crate. — ^When it is necessary to breed heavy boars 

 to rather small sows, a breeding crate can often be used to 

 advantage. There are numerous types of breeding crates, but 

 the one we show illustration of on page 223 may be easily 

 made and will in most cases answer the purpose very well. 

 (Fig. 50.) 



The dimensions of the crate are: length 5' 6", width 2', 

 and height 3' 6". The uprights at the comers are made of 

 2" X 4" scantling, and the sides may be made of 4" strips of 

 inch lumber, with a 10" board at the bottom on each side. The 

 supports for the feet of the boar (A, A) are hinged at the 

 front end of the crate, and can be raised or lowered by means 

 of the chains (B). On the outside of the crate are hooks for 

 holding the chains. C is an iron rod which slips through holes 

 (D) bored in the bottom side-boards of the crate. The rod 

 should come just above the hocks of the sow, and there should 

 be enough holes to admit of adjusting the rod to the size of the 



