iNTKODUCTlOfT. , 7 



necessary to satisfy customers, and I have never had any 

 reason to change my first decision. Of course in the early 

 days it was a hard matter to find customers, but good care, 

 feeding and advertising and the following of the show ring, 

 gradually brought us to the attention of farmers and breed- 

 ers, and as the years came and went I could see a gradual 

 increase of business and the knowledge regarding it, and 

 each year I went out a little stronger in the show ring, did 

 a little more business over the circuit and found a larger 

 correspondence at home, all of which was gratifying and 

 encouraging. It was my good fortune also, to believe in 

 system in all things, and to this cause I attribute much of 

 my success later. 



Careful records were kept of all animals, breeding dates, 

 farrowing dates, marking of the litters, disposition of the 

 same, showing to whom sold and prices received ; correct 

 accounts kept regarding expenses and receipts, until a 

 thorough system of bookkeeping, breeding records, sales 

 records, etc., has been worked out. 



' It has always been our custom to answer all correspond- 

 ence promptly, keeping a carbon copy of the reply to every 

 letter. Before typewriters were used, all letters were writ- 

 ten with pen and a letter press was used in taking an im- 

 pression in the copy book. It is no trouble for us today 

 to turn to any year's business, or to find out if the ques- 

 tion is asked, what animal we sold a certain man years ago. 



Nothing has ever been done on this farm in the matter 

 of breeding but what is on record, therefore we do not 

 depend on our memory for anything connected with the 

 business. 



What I have learned during these many years is written 

 out in this book, hoping that many a young man, new in 

 the business, or perhaps older and also of experience, may 

 find some subject that will interest him, and from which 

 he can learn something that will be of use. It is for the 

 benefit of my fellow breeders, feeders and farmers that I 

 have attempted to write this book, and it was with great 

 diffidence that I undertook it, even after urgent solicitation, 

 and I only trust it may meet with the approval of those 

 striving to make a success of the swine business. 



In advising a beginner in this business, I can only say 



