Sept. 1835.] GENERAL AGRICULXURAL NOTES. 



187 



breed is a cross of the German swine with the w^hite English 

 breeds, mostly Yorkshire. In the district round Gottingen pure 

 German sows are usually mated with English boars, but in the 

 remaining parts of the province, where the former are not to be 

 obtained, crosses are usually employed. In a few instances the 

 sows of the first progeny of German sows and English boars, 

 that is to say, half-bloods, are crossed again with English boars. 



The value of German sows for breeding lies chiefly in their 

 hardiness and fertility, and also in the fact that when crossed 

 with English boars they produce a very serviceable pig. Besides 

 the pure-blooded Yorkshire boars, several crosses are used, but 

 chiefly those in which the Eaglish blood predominates. Berk- 

 shire, Tamworth, and Poland-China boars are employed in only 

 a few instances. 



Good breeding animals are to be obtained from several 

 breeding stations in Hanover, one of which, situated at Egger- 

 sen, is worthy of some attention. This station was established 

 in 1870 for the breeding of large white Yorkshire pigs. In 

 order to prevent in-breeding and to maintain the blood pure, 

 boars are obtained from the best English stocks, and only such 

 animals are purchased as have an undoubted pedigree. The 

 stock on the station consists of between 90 and 100 sows and 

 4 breeding boars. About 850 to 950 young swine are produced 

 yearly, of which from 250 to 300 sows and boars are l eserved for 

 breeding. The remainder of the young pigs are castrated when 

 eight v/eeks old, and subsequently I'emoved from the sow. Young 

 swine intended for breeding are left for ten weeks with the sow. 

 Sows are not put to the boar until they are 11 to 12 months old. 

 In th's way larger and healthier litters are said to be obtained 

 than is the case when mating takes place at an earlier period. 

 The sows have litters twice in the year, and they, as well as the 

 boars, are kept from four to five years for breeding purposes. 

 The fodder used at the Eggersen station consists chiefly of bean 

 husks, middlings, maize, whole wheat, turnips, and potatoes. 

 Sucking sows aie fed three times daily and sows in pig twice 

 daily. Mangolds are also given in the evening. Young pigs 

 are fed from three weeks, chiefly with middlings and whole 

 w^heat. Great attention is paid to cleanliness, exercise, and 

 fresh air. 



At another large station, where a stock of 5 boars and about 

 60 sows is maintained, attention is chiefly directed to the pro- 

 duction of white English pigs, and of a local breed known as the 

 " Improved Mar^h " swine. The latter are distinguished from 

 Englisli swine by coarser hair and a few dark patches. At this 

 station the system of feeding is very similar to that adopted at 

 Eggersen, but maize is largely used. Warm foods are never 

 employed, and milk and milk products have not been used for 

 pig feeding for some time. The young pigs are induced to feed 

 as early as possible during the sucking period ; whole wheat is 

 given to them in the first place and this is followed by a mixture 



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