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FARMERS^ BULLETIN 874. 



brooding stock, and tlioroforc is the most import ant individual in 

 tho wliolo liord, l)ut granting that ho forms half, tho sows most cor- 

 tainly constituto tho othor half, ovon though tlioir influence is divided 

 into sovoral parts. Certainly both halves are equally important and 

 neither can well bo neglected at tho expense of tho othor. 



Every pig in the herd is sircui by the male, while any one sow can 

 influence only a relatively small number of them. For this reason 

 the boar should be as excellent an individual with as high breeding 

 as possible; certainly a better represent ativo of the breed than any 

 of the sows, for only by such a process will it bo possible to grade up 

 the herd. The succeeding generation must always be kept in mind 

 and be provided for, and to produce a gilt for breeding purposes 

 which is not of a better type, nearer the breeder's ideal than her dam, 

 is to be taking a step backwards, not forward. This can only be 

 obtained by having a boar more perfect in type than the sows, which 

 holds true whether the herd is a grade or a pure-bred one. 



It is well to select a boar at least 8 months old, for the selection 

 of a weanling pig that will mature into the kind of breeding animal de- 

 manded in any particular case is a very difficult and precarious under- 

 taking. In selecting the male, aim to correct any faults which may 

 be present in the conformation of the sows. These faults may be 

 discovered in the several months between the first purchase of the 

 bred gilts and the time when it is necessary to breed again for the 

 second litter. It is seen here why uniformity is oF such importance 

 in the herd, for the common fault of the sows may be corrected in the 

 offspring by the use of a boar particularly strong in that characteristic ; 

 but if the sows are not uniform — if, for example, one has high quality 

 with lack of scale, while another has the opposite characters — it wiU 

 be impossible to select one boar that can correct the faults of both. 



The boar must show masculinity first of all. This is characterized 

 by a strong head, a thick well-crested neck, well-developed shoulders, 

 stiff bristles, and a little coarser hair than is found in a sow of the 

 same weight and age. His visible reproductive organs should be well 

 developed. By no means select a boar having only one testicle, or 

 one having two small, iU-defined ones. Constitution should be 

 strongly in evidence, for this indicates the vitality necessary to get 

 strong, healthy pigs. The market type indicated for the sows should 

 be found in the boar, namely, a long, strong, well- arched back, 

 thickly covered with flesh — not fat; a well-rounded, plump ham; a 

 deep, smooth side; and a trim underline. He must have quality, 

 but with it strength of bone and scale. A small, over-refined boar is 

 often lacking in masculinity. Strength of bone is shown in the de- 

 velopmrent of the feet and legs, and the manner in which the animal 

 carries himself upon his toes. As the hind pasterns are very prone 

 to become weak with age and may interfere seriously with service- 



