GENERAL SWINE MANAGEMENT 



If) 



Chief and Chief I Know, two boars sired by Chief Tecumseh II, were 

 noted boars and from 3 to 5 per cent of their male get were cryp- 

 torchids. Chief Perfection II, sired by Chi^f Tecumseh II, was the 

 sire of Cherokee Perfection, which in turn sired about 3 per cent of 

 cryptorchids. Thus this structural defect appeared in at least three 

 generations. " 



THE BROOD SOW 



The quality required in the sow is, of course, practically analogous 

 to that required for the boar. The general contour and appearance 

 should be strongly feminine, otherwise marks of identification should 

 be as indicated in the male. The udder should be well formed and 



Fig. 2. Interior of farrowing liouse — more expensive than practical. 



provided with ten or twelve teats, distinctly defined, and these should 

 extend well forward and backward and be wide apart. Most breeders 

 claim that sows from mature animals are the best breeders. The 

 most prolific age in sows is from two to four years. Many breeders 

 breed gilts once and then fatten them for market, believing it to be 

 profitable. It would be better and more profitable if these breeders 

 would select from such gilts those that are prolific and good breeders 

 and keep them for breeding until they are at least four years of 

 age, rather than to trust to the single breeding as some have done 

 in the past. Gilts should not be bred until they are nine or ten 

 months of age. 



"Whether or not the breeder should produce two litters of pigs a 



