Judging 413 



Condition. 



Show standards place a premium on high condition 

 regardless of the fact that injury to the breeding func- 

 tions frequently results. To meet this standard without 

 doing permanent injury to the individuals should be the 

 purpose and endeavor of the exhibitor. The fat covering 

 should not only be thick, but also uniform in depth all 

 over the top from the shoulders back to the tail and 

 down along the sides. There should be no tendency 

 to bareness in the region of the rump and loin, or to rolls 

 along the fore ribs or back. The covering should be firm 

 and elastic to the touch on top, and there should be no 

 excessive softness or flabbiness in the jowl, along the 

 lower lines and hams. High condition is to the credit of 

 the individual, provided the fat covering is smooth and 

 firm and the weight is carried with ease and style. The 

 judge, however, is justified in sharply discriminating 

 against excessive fatness as shown by lack of smoothness, 

 or extreme softness or flabbiness of covering, and general 

 inability to move about with ease and freedom. When 

 in breeding flesh, the sow or boar should give evidence 

 of easy keeping qualities as shown by the general appear- 

 ance of health, good condition on moderate feed, and 

 elasticity of covering along the back and loin. 



Quality. 



The indications of quality are the same in breeding 

 hogs as in the fat barrow. The sow or boar in thin or 

 fat condition should have a smooth fine coat of hair. 

 Swirls are especially undesirable. There should be an 

 entire absence of any tendency towards deep creases, 

 wrinkles, coarse or unhealthy skin. Excessive develop- 

 ment of shields on the mature boar is objectionable. 



