POINTS IN SWINE JUDGING 19 



Chest and Shoulders. — Proper development of the chest is 

 essential to proper action on the part of the heart and lungs. The 

 favorite type of chest is broad and deep, with the breast-bone 

 located well forward and with a well-marked curve. This indi- 

 cates a strong constitution and plenty of room for development of 

 those organs which are essential to vigorous growth. 



From the market viewpoint a smooth well-fleshed shoulder 

 is highly desirable. There should be absolute smoothness of out- 

 line at the junction between shoulders and chest, and no hollo w- 

 ness or roughness at this point. In the boar there is always some 

 noticeable thickness of the skin over the shoulder muscles. This 

 is a characteristic inherited from the wild boar, in which this 

 "shield" was developed as a means of protection in fighting. 

 While a reasonable amount of thickening of the skin in this region 

 is unavoidable, overdevelopment of the "shield" is objectionable, 

 as it may be transmitted to the litter and become an undesirable 

 quality. 



Front Legs. — The favorite type of American hog is close built 

 and lies close to the ground. The front legs should be short and 

 well formed, with strong bones and well developed, but not over- 

 large joints. When facing the animal the front legs should come 

 down on a level with the center of the shoulder, the knees straight, 

 and reasonably wide apart. The toes should be directed forward, 

 and the entire attitude of the animal should be one of ease and 

 comfort. The pastern joint should be well developed, and the 

 rudimentary toes on the back of the leg should be set high enough 

 to clear the ground. In animals that are narrow chested the legs 

 are usually set too close together, and there is a tendency for the 

 knees to bow inward, producing a condition similar to knock-knee. 

 While a coarse, raw-boned animal is not desirable, it is not pro- 

 fitable to develop too fine a bone. Strength as well as neatness 

 are desirable, and a fairly well-developed bony framework is 

 necessary to give proper weight-bearing power. 



Back and Loins. — In the favorite type of American hog the 

 broad back and loins are very noticeable characteristics. During 

 the breeding season, when the herd is somewhat run down in flesh, 

 the width of the back may not be so prominent, but as soon as the 

 hog is put upon a full feed of grain there is soon noticeable a remark- 



