Feeding and Handling the Herd 25 



away from the remainder of the herd. From the stand- 

 point of the boar's welfare, however, this arrangement, 

 although productive of exercise, is usually too disquieting 

 to be without serious criticism. This is especially true 

 if the demands on the boar are heavy. The boar should 

 ordinarily be away from all such exciting influences. 

 The practice of having a " teaser," or a boar to which only 

 a few sows are to be bred, in the lot or pasture next the 

 sows is a good solution of the problem. 



Time in tlw day to breed the sows. 



A convenient time diu-ing the day to breed the sows is, 

 as a rule, just before feeding. The boar at this time, also, 

 will be in the best condition to make a prompt and satis- 

 factory service. When full of feed the boar is naturally 

 sluggish, and his inclination to lie down after eating 

 should be encouraged rather than disturbed. In no case 

 should the boar be used for a period of two hours after 

 feeding. When two sows are in heat at the same time 

 and it is necessary to breed them to the same boar, the 

 plan of breeding one in the morning and the other in the 

 evening will insure the best results and have a minimum 

 effect on the vitality of the boar. 



After being bred, the sow should be put into a pen by 

 herself where she should remain until after going out of 

 heat. It is believed that she will be more certain to 

 conceive if her activity is somewhat restricted and she 

 is kept quiet and away from other sows. 



The breeding-crate. 



The breeding-crate is practically a necessity when 

 mature heavy boars are to be bred to gilts, or when it is 

 desired to breed the boar pig to rather rangy sows. Even 



