CHAPTER XXVIII 

 THE BREEDING HERD 



The secret of successful pig raising lies in the handling 

 of the breeding herd ; and the profit or loss of the sea- 

 son's work is very largely determined before the pigs 

 are born. A fattening pig that is improperly fed or 

 managed at once retaliates by ceasing to gain, and the 

 attendant is thereby warned to change his methods. 

 But a boar or brood sow improperly handled may ap- 

 parently thrive and yet some weeks or months later 

 pay the debt with heavy interest. It is necessary that 

 this matter receive most careful attention. 



THE BOAR 



It is best, when possible, to secure a tried breeder; 

 that is, one which has sired pigs. Such boars have gen- 

 erally been used until the owner, because of having gilts 

 sired by the boar, or for some other reason must let him 

 go. The opportunities to secure such animals, however, 

 are not very frequent, and it is usually necessary to resort 

 to a young untried pig. If possible, one should visit the 

 farm from which it is proposed to secure the animal before 

 making any definite . contract. This will give an oppor- 

 tunity to see the way the animals have been kept and to 

 find out the particulars which could not be learned by 

 mail. The following points should be kept in mind when 



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