CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO. 



FITTING THE HERD FOR SHOW. 



We will now suppose that the herd has been selected 

 along proper lines and we , are ready to start the fitting 

 process with a bunch of animals of the same type. The 

 question now is how to fit these animals to the best advan- 

 tage without over doing them, so they will show when the 

 Fair season opens, in the best possible bloom. 



Always remember that "bloom" is a desirable thing in 

 a show animal. When "in bloom" a hog is at its best and 

 this "bloom" only lasts for a shorftime, and is as easily 

 lost as the bloom of a ripe peach, hence the matter of fitting 

 should commence in time and be carried on tri a manner to 

 have the animals "in bloom"' when the Fair season opens. 



For convenience in handling and caring for them, the 

 show animals should be kept by themselves and not allowed 

 to roam with the general herd. The four boars being fitted 

 for the different herds should be carefully prepared and put 

 together in one lot where they can be fed and handled to- 

 gether so that there will be no danger of their fighting 

 should it be necessary tlo drive them to or from the show 

 building together. The aged sows, the senior and the 

 junior yearlingSj should also be fed and kept in one en- 

 closure for best results during the Fair circuit, when it is 

 necessary to exercise them mornings during the show sea- 

 son. The over six months and under six months sows can 

 also be kept together for the same reasons. 



The yards or lots, where the animals are to be fitted 

 during the next few months, should have an abundance of 

 succulent pasture, either natural grasses or other green 

 forage crops provided and each lot should have a water 

 fountain that should be kept well supplied with pure clean 

 water at all times. Of course ample shade should be pro- 

 vided — either natural or artificial — and no dust should be 



