CHAPTEE SIX. 



THE SELECTION OF A HERD BOAR. 



It is very necessary that the herd boar should be a good 

 one, for the reason that, during his life, he' may be the sire 

 of hundreds of pigs, whereas a sow will only produce a 

 limited number during her life time, and if the boar is good 

 enough to improve the standard of the herd, his value as 

 a breeder will be great beyond compare. 



It is such sires that have made the breeds what they are, 

 and it is such sires that command almost unlimited prices. 



Generally speaking, the sire should be a little more on 

 the compact order than the sow. By this I do not mean 

 a chunky, short, thick boar, but one showing full develop- 

 ment at every point, and of a strictly masculine type. 

 There is nothing so unsatisfactory as to have the head of 

 a herd show a feminine appearance. The boar particularly 

 should be of the proper type of the breed he represents. 



He should be large, without sacrificing quality; smooth 

 and even in every part ; a typical masculine head ; eyes and 

 ears wide apart ; the crest short, full, smooth and free from 

 any creases ; the jowl reasonably full and well laid on 

 to the shoulders, which should be smooth and free from 

 creases ; a full heart girth extending well down ; and the 

 bottom lines nearly or quite on a level, with as deep a flank 

 as possible ; rather short or medium length legs with bone 

 of good size and quality; pasterns short and straight, and 

 the hoofs well set ; legs standing square and well under him. 

 and straight like those of a Shorthorn, with long, deep ham, 

 tail set well up and of good size. 



This type and description would fit any of the lard breeds 

 excepting that the head and ear should be characteristic of 

 the breed he represents. In Poland-Chinas a medium siz- 

 ed ear with the proper setting and roll is desired; in the 

 Duroc-Jersey practically the same type of head and ear 



