490 MANUAL OF FABM ANIMALS 



and often mangy skins. Again, in the corn-belt, bacon types 

 doubtless will never be most popular because the available food 

 is not such as to produce bacon. 



Uniformity. — In selecting animals for the breeding herd it is 

 very important that they be similar in age, size, color, condi- 

 tion, and quality. The importance of this similarity among 

 market swine cannot be overestimated. To get animals that 

 will remain uniform, it is essential to know something of the herd 

 from which they come. A herd noted for its uniformity is 

 likely to produce animals that are uniform. In addition to the 

 uniformity, the herd should be prolific. The sows should farrow 

 and raise two litters of six or more pigs each year. Prolificacy 

 is hereditary. A prolific herd is likely to produce prolific 

 animals. 



THE BOAR 



The boar is sire of the pigs from many dams, and his general 

 influence, therefore, is much greater than that of any sow can 

 possibly be. Therefore, for general improvement the boar 

 should be largely relied on, as he can effect change either for good 

 or bad much more rapidly than the sows. The boar should be 

 the best that the number and quality of the sows or the circum- 

 stances of the breeder will permit. The ordinary breeder can- 

 not afford an extremely high-priced boar and is compelled to do 

 the best he can with the money at his command. This may be 

 a blessing in disguise, for it should be the work of the ordinary 

 breeder to grow market hogs, and when the boar is used to sire 

 market hogs, there is a limit beyond which one cannot go and 

 realize a profit from swine breeding. Only the man who is 

 breeding show animals can afford to pay a large sum for a boar 

 and make a profit on his investment. In any event, however, 

 the animal that is chosen should be a pure-bred, for if not 

 pure-bred he cannot be depended on to stamp his own 

 qualities on his offspring. If the boar should be put to service 



