CHAPTER THIRTEEN. 



MARKING PIGS. 



The matter of having each litter marked so that pigs 

 may be identified at any time, is one that every breeder 

 of pure-breds at least should follow without fail. There 

 is nothing that would be more embarrassing than to have 

 a prospective buyer, when looking over the pigs ask how 

 we identify them and be unable to answer satisfactorily. 

 After trying all kinds and varieties of ear labels we settled 

 many years ago on the only system that we have found 

 entirely reliable, and one that never fails to remain where 

 it is put. This system is a series of small punch marks in 

 the outer and inner rims of the two ears, and is fully illus- 

 trated herein. 



One thing is quite important, namely, that a small punch 

 be used, one not larger than the largest size in a revolving 

 harness punch. The punch should be set on the rim oi 

 the ear, only cutting out a half circle. If too large a 

 punch is used the marks become too prominent as the pig 

 grows to maturity. 



A small vest pocket memorandum book should always be 

 carried, using one leaf for each sow and her litter, with 

 the stamp, as shown in the illustrated system of marking, 

 showing the same ear marks as are given to the pig. In 

 this way as one goes through the herd and asks for the 

 breeding of different pigs, it can very readily be given, 

 liy referring to the small memorandum book. To illustrate : 

 Suppose a prospective buyer selected a pig and said to 

 me, "this pig has two marks in the right ear outer rim 

 and one in the left, outer rim. What are his sire and dam 

 and date of farrow?" By referring to the book showing 

 this mark I will find it is the fifth litter farrowed during 

 the year and shows that the sire was Rival's Majesty 150500 

 and the dam Locksley's Artful Belle 178745 and was far- 



