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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