410 Pork Production 



condition; yearling sows and boars about 100 pounds 

 more and gilts and young boars twelve months old about 

 50 pounds more. Larger sizes are not objectionable if 

 accompanied by quality, symmetry and smoothness of 

 form, and activity. 



There is good reason for this large size. Breeding 

 animals should be large because the ability of the pig to 

 make rapid gains is very largely determined by the size 

 of its parents. Within reasonable limits, the larger the 

 parents the faster the gaining capacity of the pigs. The 

 demand for larger size in most of our lard breeds of swine 

 originated with the farmers who insisted on having pigs 

 to feed which had something besides refinement and 

 early maturity to recommend them. This is the justifica- 

 tion of the 500-pound sow in the face of the market de- 

 mand for a 250-pound pig. 



That some breeders are going to the extreme in the 

 matter of size is undoubtedly true. The danger comes 

 from seeking extreme size without at the same time in- 

 sisting on its necessary complement of smoothness and 

 sufficient early maturity. The fact that large size and 

 quality seem opposed to each other when either is de- 

 veloped to an extreme degree makes the attainment of 

 the ideal size with quality extremely difficult. That it 

 is not impossible, however, is demonstrated by the best 

 individual specimens at our state and national shows. 



Form. 



The form should also be judged according to the age 

 and condition of the individual. The body should be 

 deep and of good length (the sow should be a little longer 

 in the middle than the boar) ; the back should be strong 

 and well arched, the line of arch being regular from neck 



