DESIRABLE QUALITIES IN A PIG. 21 



Ibs. of flour. If we furnish another extra 25 Ibs. to the 

 hopper, or 125 Ibs. in all, we get 40 Ibs. of flour ; if we 

 furnish 150 Ibs., we get 60 Ibs. of flour. In other words, 

 150 Ibs. of corn will furnish three times as much flour as 

 100 Ibs. 



It may be said that more power would be required to 

 run the mill when it is grinding than when it is running 

 empty. But in the case of an animal it is doubtful how 

 far this objection holds. It is not improbable that the 

 conversion of each additional pound of corn into pork 

 generates the amount of power necessary for the change. 

 But whether this be so or not, no one can question the 

 advantage to be derived from furnishing all the grain that 

 the mill will grind and manufacture. 



Of the desirable qualities in a pig, therefore, a vigorous 

 appetite is of the first importance. A hog that will not 

 eat, is of no more use than a mill that will not grind. And 

 it is undoubtedly true that the more a pig will eat in pro- 

 portion to its size, provided he can digest and assimilate 

 it, the more profitable he will prove. 



The next desirable quality is, perhaps, quietness of dig- 

 position. The blood is derived from the food, and flesh is 

 derived from the blood. Animal force is derived from the 

 transformation of flesh. The more of this is used in un- 

 necessary motions, the greater the demand on the stomach, 

 and the more food will there be required merely to sustain 

 the vital functions and the more frequently flesh is 

 transformed and formed again, the tougher and less pala- 

 table it becomes. 



This quality, or quietness of disposition, combined with 

 a small amount of useless parts or offal, has been the 

 aim of all modern breeders. Its importance will readily 

 be perceived if we assume that 75 per cent of the 

 food is ordinarily consumed to support the vital func- 

 tions, and that the slight additional demand of only 

 one-sixth more food, is required for the extra offal 



