18 DISEASES OF SWINE 



marked growth in the Corn Belt. An animal that is capable of 

 showing the returns produced by the hog is indeed worthy of 

 attention and care. 



THE LARD HOG 



The hog that finds most favor in the United States is a heavy 

 producer of fat, especially showing a heavy deposit of leaf-lard fat 

 and subcutaneous fat beneath the skin. This type is seen in its 

 most perfect development in the Middle West, where corn forms a 

 large article of diet. This kind of hog is commonly referred to 

 as the lard hog, and does not meet with especial favor in other 

 countries, where the bacon type is more sought for. 



Favorite American Type. — The important desirable features 

 of the American hog, from the standpoint of the Corn Belt farmers^ 

 is compactness of body, short limbs, well boned, and with strong 

 joints, short head, broad back, deep body, heavy hams, and covered 

 by an abundant coat of fine hair. The high-class hog should pos- 

 sess a considerable degree of activity, and yet should be of a mild 

 temperament. The activity and gentleness are important charac- 

 teristics from the standpoint of breeding. The weight of hog 

 which finds favor in American feed lots is the 300- to 400-pound 

 animal. 



POINTS IN SWINE JUDGING 



In passing judgment upon a hog intended for breeding purposes, 

 with a view to development of the desirable points above men- 

 tioned, the following points are of interest: 



Head and Neck. — It is desirable to have the head short and 

 wide. The snout should preferably be short and well formed. 

 The eyes should set reasonably far apart, and should not be sur- 

 rounded by any excessive deposit of fat. The ears should be of 

 medium size, incUned to be neatly pointed, and set at a proper 

 angle upon the head. In the best type of animal the ears are 

 covered by a fair amount of hair, which is of fine quality and 

 texture. The head and face should be free from any wrinkles or 

 seams that give an unsightly expression. Jowls should be full 

 and firm, rounded in outline, and yet not over fat, so as to hang 

 loose and flabby. The favorite neck is short and thick, and merges 

 smoothly with the body at head and shoulders. Broadness of 

 neck as well as depth is desirable. 



