THE BREEDING SEASON 217 



two-^first, that which makes use of the breeding crate, 

 and second, where the boar and sow are allowed to run 

 together. 



The breeding crate is useful when matings are to be 

 made with sire and dam of different sizes, and especially 

 if the difiference in size between the animals is considera- 

 ble. The crate is constructed so the sow is confined and 

 cannot get away, with a platform to the rear of her, upon 

 which the boar stands, which may be raised and lowered. 

 While there are several different kinds of breeding crates 

 on the market, any home-made piece of apparatus that 

 will hold the sow in position and either raise or lower the 

 boar, as the case may be, will answer the purpose. It is 

 generally considered, however, that this method of breed- 

 ing is more or less artificial and not productive of as good 

 results as when the natural method is employed and the 

 boar occupies the pasture with the sow. Under such con- 

 ditions the most favorable time to copulate will be se- 

 lected, thus producing better results. One of the pur- 

 poses of the breeding crate is to assist an awkward and 

 clumsy boar that cannot handle himself. This usually 

 affords a poor excuse for such a crate. If a boar is prop- 

 erly fed and kept, he will usually be able to do service 

 unassisted by a crate. If a breeder is producing pure 

 bred hogs and constantly improving his herd, he will 

 usually have good young boars -coming on that may be 

 used on such young gilts that are to be bred and not able 

 to support a large old boar, thus rendering the breeding 

 crate an unnecessary adjunct in swine breeding opera- 

 tions. However, a show boar that is more or less clumsy 

 on account of high condition may be materially assisted 

 by a crate, as may also any large or small boar that is tc 

 be used on small and large sows respectively. 



