HINTS ON PIG BREEDING.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2137, 30 December 1880, Page 4

HINTS ON PIG BREEDING.

Great • care is required in the proper ueleetion of the future breeds or blood. Too many, I think, are apt to fatten all the sows that had pigs this year, and depend upon this year’s pigs for breeding next spring. The sow that has proved herself a good breeder and safe stickler should be kept over, though she may have some seeming defects in certain points, and may have fattened up and grown rapidly since raising her pigs, and could soon be made ready for the butcher. Those growing and fattening qualities should be counted in her favor. If she has thus far proved herself to be all right, keep her over by all means. If a sow, though having apparently many good points of the favorite breed, fails in breeding qualities, put her into the feed pen at once. The value of the next year’s crop may bo greatly enhanced proper selection. If the selection be improper, years will be required to weed oat the error. As a rule with young sows intended to farrow in the spring, at about one year old, the nicest discrimination is needed in selection. Often they do as well as old ones. But there is more safety iu depending upon proved old sows than upon the young ones. A sow two to three years old brings stronger and better pigs, which start off better and have more milk, and thus keep ahead in the race for fattening. The sow, having proved herself to be a good breeder, can raise her two litters in a year. When young sows are used and farrow in early spring they should never be bred again that year. They should have all the summer and fall to complete their growth. Then, if found to be all right, they can raise two litters a year after that. The successful breeder has pens well arranged and made tight to guard against cold at farrowing time. Where this in done, and proper care is used in seeing that the little ones are kept close to the mother’s teats until they are quite dry, there is little danger after that from cold weather. Ample preparations for the brood sow should be made several days before time of farrowing. STegleot here often renders useless all previous plans and hopes. Every farmer should know the exact time when his sows are to farrow. She will not vary two days from sixteen wren weeks, or 112 days. She should be confined in her room at least one week before tier time is to expire, so that she may be reconciled to her quarters. Caro should be token to have straw for her bedding soft and fine. She should have been so often washed and curried when a pig that she may be readily approached, and be so gentle that if any of her pigs stray away, and are liable to besome chilled, they can be gently placed to the teat without disturbing her. When rhe needs food or drink she will call for it. Peed very lightly for several days. The two or three first days give only a little slightly warmed slop. Then steadily increase to full feed, giving all she will eat. As soon as possible urge the pigs to get into the trough to loaru to eat. This they will do when fifteen to twenty days old. Push them by feeding all they want np to nine or ten months old. They then furnish the best and sweetest pork. Mo time is given for cholera—none for idle

capital. There is much discussion going on as to the advantage, if any there be, in crossbreeding different kinds. The question is whether wo have a better nog by that way of doing. Among us grades are seldom used for breed-ng, especially the boars. Our aim mostly is to keep the full bloods distinct. When owing is made between Berkshire males arid Polsnd-China females, a very valuable bug for pork-making is produced, and better tb-»n a cross with Chester white sows. It should always be the rule to uso a better male than female, it possible, thus always improving. A pedigree animal has the advantage, as its history can be traced back, though there may be, and I think there are, many breeding hogs not in the herd books that are quite safe to use. In central Illinois the Berkshires are most numerous. All through the northern part of the State the Poland-Chinas are in large proportion. Choose which you please ; both male and female; use the best for breeding.—“ Country Gentleman.”