12 The: Colorado Experiment Station. 
at least six or eight weeks before he is to be used and accustomed 
to his new surroundings. 
As soon as he arrives, he should be thoroughly dipped or 
washed with some of the coal tar dips for destroying lice, and given 
the same treatment after ten days. For three weeks after arrival 
he should be kept at a safe distance from all other hogs on the 
farm; then, if found free from disease, he may be placed in quar¬ 
ters near them. Dipping and quarantine should be applied to every 
hog or pig that is brought to the farm, as it will often prevent 
serious losses from lice and disease that would otherwise be carried 
by the new purchase to the swine already on the farm. 
The boar pig should be pushed with growing feeds, so that 
he will make a gain every day until he reaches full, mature weight. 
A mixture of any two or more of the following grains is good: 
Corn, barley, or milo maize, with wheat, peas, or shorts. A liberal 
supply of skim milk is especially good. He should have all the al¬ 
falfa he will eat every day, either pasture or hay. A small feed 
of roots or cooked potatoes is good. Stunting, even for a short 
time, will permanently injure his value. He should weigh 300 to 
400 pounds when 12 months old. 
After reaching full growth, the boar, when not in service, 
should be given bulky feeds that will keep him full, satisfied, and in 
good condition, but that will not put on fat. Alfalfa, roots, and a 
small daily ration of any kind of grain. 
A few weeks before the beginning of the breeding season the 
grain feed should be gradually increased, giving a mixture the same 
as when he was growing, and the amount of roots and alfalfa 
should be slowly reduced. The animal should be put in perfect 
condition and good flesh, but not made fat. The best results are 
not secured from a sire that is either fat or* thin. 
During the breeding season the boar should have an abundance 
of food, using the same combination as recommended for him 
while growing, except that just sufficient succulent feeds (alfalfa 
and roots) should be given to keep his bowels in good condition. 
A full supply of succulent feeds at this time is likely to make him 
infertile. 
A boar should not be used for much service until he is at least 
twelve months old. A fully matured boar produces the most vig¬ 
orous pigs, other things being equal, and if properly fed and 
handled, may be profitably kept for several years. His tushes 
should be cut or knocked off as often as they show considerable 
size. 
The boar should serve a sow but once, and two sows a day 
should be the limit for a mature boar, and then he should have a 
