the largest litters and also make pork that brings the best
price in the market. The lard type of swine are usually kept where corn
is the cereal that is most grown.

The large Yorkshire and Tamworth are the leading bacon breeds. The
Poland China, the Duroc Jersey, and the Chester White are leading lard
types. The Berkshires, Cheshires, and Hampshires are intermediate
between the bacon and lard types. When bacon sires are crossed upon sows
of any of the other breeds, the progeny are excellent for pork.

The farmer who is about to adopt a breed should be sure to select one of
the standard and common breeds of his own neighborhood. Many men make
the mistake of introducing a breed new to the section, and when the time
comes that a new boar must be secured much difficulty and expense are
incurred before a satisfactory one can be found.

The bulletin quoted above further says: "To the production of pork,
then, in _the largest amount_, in _the shortest time_, and with _the
minimum of money and labor_, all the details of the hog-raising industry
are directed." Here is the whole secret--pork in largest amount, in
shortest time, at lowest production costs. And the very foundation is
perfect health and vigorous condition of the hogs, both breeding animals
and market stock.

Health and vigor are necessary in the breeding animals if they are to
produce big litters of sturdy pigs--in the market animals if they are to
consume large amounts of food and economically and quickly convert it
into fat and muscle. Weak, sickly, run-down hogs are a constant source
of trouble and are never profitable under any conditions. Disease is one
of the greatest drawbacks in the hog industry.

[Illustration: ~POLAND CHINA PIG~]

When selecting brood sows of any breed, the preference should be given
to those which have reasonably long sides and limbs of medium length.
When selecting boars make sure that vigor is present in a marked degree
and also strong limbs. Any weakness in the back of male or female is to
be carefully shunned.

During pregnancy two facts must be borne in mind. The first is that the
sow is doing double duty. She is keeping up her own bodily functions, as
well as developing her fetal litter. Therefore, feeding should be
liberal. The mistakes in feeding breeding animals are more frequently
those which keep such stock thin. The importance of ample feeding at
this time is a demonstrated fact, as well as one which appeals to commo