SWINE, BREEDING AND MANAGEMENT. 
363 
The very first requisite, however, in keeping any improved breeds, or 
in fact any breed from which money is to be made, is the best of feeding, 
and ihat daily, from the time they are born until they are slaughtered. 
X BACK WOODS HOG. 
Yhe hog is simply a machine for making what is to be converted into 
lard, bacon, salt pork and hams. The average daily gain is a gradually 
decreasing quantity from month to month, until after a certain time 
nothing more can be gained in weight. This ought to be sufficient to be 
said upon this poiut. You can neither breed, nor keep a breed profitably 
by starving or allowing them to shift for themselves. As elsewhere, so in stock- 
raising, it holds true that what costs little to acquire, brings little at sale. Care 
and labor to secure the best will always pay the most. 
Fixing and Holding the Characteristics. 
In breeding swine, however good or perfect the breed, they will surely, 
degenerate unless the greatest care in selection is pursued. Many persona 
wonder why it is that from the prolific nature of swine, the country ia 
not soon stocked with none but the most superior animals. The simple 
reason is, the want of accurate judgment and care in selection ; the error 
will be plainly seen by noting what we say farther on. Indeed, what has 
been said in previous pages on this general topic will apply equally well at 
this point. Care in selection and breeding is fundamental to success. 
