L0VEJ0TI8MS. 163 



There are many such instances on record, which emphasize the value 

 of the right kind of a pedigree as well as "some hog" which is certainly 

 very necessary. 



It is also of great importance that the same critical judgment be 

 used in the selection of the brood sows on which the herd is founded, 

 that the future may be an assured success. 



Besides the matter of keeping all sleeping pens and feeding places 

 clean, it is well for the breeder to look carefully after the premises 

 in general by having a regular clean-up at least twice a y^r — buildings, 

 yards, fences, etc. This would not only give a good appearance, but 

 would be a benefit along sanitary lines. There are many good disinfect- 

 ants, and some that should be used weekly, by spraying the troughs, feed- 

 ing utensils, mixing barrels, etc., as well as the feeding floors and sleep- 

 ing places. Peed yards should be well cleaned up and kept free from 

 cobs and other accumulations. These are small matters, yet quite im- 

 portant, and should be carefully looked after. 



The selection of the show herd requires a knowledge of what it takes, 

 when well fitted, to win. One should commence months in advance 

 of the show to make his selections, first making up his mind whether or 

 not he wishes to fill all the various classes listed in the premium lists, 

 which are now so made up, that the same animals can show throughout 

 the season, without being required to carry along other animals of va- 

 rious ages besides those first selected to fill the classes. 



Some people greatly enjoy bringing out a pig herd, under six months 

 of age, as there are often enticing prizes offered in this class, and it is 

 a good way to show the class of pigs you are producing. While this 

 class should also be as uniform in type and conformation as the others, 

 and should be well fitted in flesh, care should be taken that they are 

 not pushed too hard and become overdone, and more or less wrinkled 

 in appearance. 



We will now suppose that the herd has been selected along the above 

 lines, and we are ready to start the fitting process With a bunch of ani- 

 mals of the same type. The question how is how to fit these animals 

 to the best advantage without overdoing them, so they will show when 

 the Fair season opens, in the best possible bloom. 



Always remember however, that too much milk is worse than none. 

 The proper amount is three pounds of milk to one pound of grain. With 

 this your ration Is practically balanced, or at least gives the best results. 

 I would by all means urge, whUe fitting these hogs for show, that a 

 mixture of mineral matter mentioned in another part of this book be 

 used. 



