336 SWINE IN AMERICA 



SO that it will more nearly approach that of the English 

 bacon hog. 



An obvious deduction from the bulletni is the advan- 

 tage of uniformity in the lots of hogs shipped to large 

 markets, which conform to recognized classes. The chief 

 purpose of the bulletin is to explain the system of grading 

 or classifying hogs, in order that the farmer may under- 

 stand the market side of the business more thoroughly 

 and be better able to interpret the market reports. This 

 classification is necessardy somewhat flexible in its ap- 

 plication, depending upon individual judgment; and, 

 hence, there is greater opportunity for difference of opin- 

 ion in the case of an uneven lot of hogs. In the higher 

 grades especially uniformity is quite desirable, and a few 

 inferior animals may bring down the price of the whole 

 lot, as they injure its appearance. This lack of uniform- 

 ity and the lack of condition is responsible for certain 

 "mixed" classes which are made the dumping ground 

 for the outcasts of the higher grades. Such mixed lots 

 sell at a disadvantage. Speculators take advantage of 

 this, buying several carloads, which they sort into vari- 

 ous classes and resell at a profit because they are then 

 properly graded. 



