Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-06-05
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A Decided Difference in the Dispositions
of the Grunters.

"A Oeclded D1nerence IN the Disposition
of the Grunters.
All hogs are not alike either in tenn
per. in physical development, appetite
or ability to digest food. 1t is well to
know these facts. The differences in
most of these respects may be known
by the looks of the animals, their ex.
preston, form of body and action.
Some are v and timld and require
very gentle treatment. Some are deli
cate in structure, and this delicacy car
ries with it a delicate appetite. Differ
ent breeds represent these characters
tics quite markedly. The circum-
| stances connected with their rearing
have a decided effect in producing pc
culiarties in pigs, and they are also
transmitted in the blood. Those of a
| quiet disposition are always preferable,
for the obvious reason that it is less
trouble to take care of them, and they
do not waste food by useless
uneasiness. Some hogs are very
''hoggish" and ugly. Such animals
are found in every breed, and
should be got rid of as soon as possible.
A fighting pig should never be bred,
neither is it a good idea to raise prog
eny from one which does not manifest
an ability to look out for itself. Such
| pigs are too much trouble, as they have
to be fused over and constantly looked
| after, or they will not do we'll. A sue
cessful breeder must observe the Pc
culiar.ties of his pigs and regard them
| carefully. Some pigs are naturally in
clined to be constipated, and will make
poor stock animals, as the progeny
will inherit these peculiarities, and be
subject to piles and kindred disorders.
Some pigs are quick to perceive things
and ways, and others are stupid and
contrary. Some are wilder and more
unmanageable than others. ALI these
differences can be distinguished, and
may be noticed by an observing breed
er who has enough enthusiasm and in
terest in the business to take the
trouble.
imagine l a always select a SOW
pig which will make a good breeder by
a sort of motherly appearance which
| she evinces even when quite young.
There is a great deal in the p%hysiogno-
my Of a pig. This is not an asthetical
idea, but a clear cut, practical one.
The breeders should be selected on ac-
count of brains as well as body. An
intelligent pig is worth more
than a mild or stupid one These
characteristics are manifested in these
ways-to-wit: A wildsow witk trample
on heryoung, and, when nursing, spring
up at every little noise. A stupid one.
lacking sense, will deliberately lie down
on them, and stay there, and smother
or crush them; while a gentle and in
telligent mother will put her pigs in a
bunch with her snout, before lying
down, and she will get down to them
so slowly and carefully that she will
never hurt one. If one squeals she is
on the alert TIC knowthe cause and how
to relieve 1t. I have seen sows exhibit
a sagacity and care with their young
which were almost human. When a
| SOW possesses these characteristics she
should be kept as long as possible; for
such a one is not only a comfort, but
very valuable. She may be kept as a
profitable breeder till eight or ten
years of age; the profit from her de-
pending not altogether upon her age,
but on the condition Of her teeth for
the mastication Of her food. If fed
ground food she will do we'll several
years longer than upon whole grain.
The growth of the tusks in an old hog
will often keep the grinders apart, SO
that they a not masticate grain.
When this is the case they should be
sawed off close to the jaw bone. An
OLD sow always knows more than a
young one, and if her education is good
this fact may be turned to rood ac-
count; if bad, the sooner she is got rid
Of the better. A bad example should
be avoided among pigs "a we'll as
among people.--F. D. CARTS. in Ruraa
| NeW Yorker.