40 DISEASES OF SWINE 



are wide and well covered with fat. The ribs are long, fiat, and 

 well sprung, giving excellent proportions for development of flesh 

 and fat. 



When the legs of the Chester-White hog are examined they 

 are found to present the main point of weakness of the breed. 

 The limbs are fairly long, rather heavy boned, but are a little weak 

 at the pasterns. The toes are poorly placed, being rather wide 

 spread, and with the dew claws set rather too low. The pastern 

 joints are inclined to be weak, as compared with the rapid develop- 

 ment and heavy weight of the breed. This gives a tendency to 

 break down under the strain of full flesh. This is about the only 

 serious defect of the breed, but is an important one from the 

 standpoint of the feeder. This objection is largely eliminated by 

 crossing the breed with other types that have a somewhat finer 

 bone and a better developed pastern. 



In disposition the Chester-White is very quiet and easy to 

 manage. This, in large measure, explains the excellent breed- 

 ing and feeding qualities. In movement the hogs of this type are 

 graceful and yet fairly active. They are good grazers, and do 

 well on pasture lands, as also in the feed lot and stye. 



Chester-White hogs produce a very fair type of pork, but it has 

 the same objections as that of any of the lard type of swine, in that 

 it carries a large amount of fat as compared with the amount of 

 flesh. This makes a bacon which does not meet with favor in the 

 export trade. 



This breed has been markedly increasing in popularity in the 

 past ten years, and is an ever-increasing factor at the fair exhibits. 

 The excellent breeding qualities and the remarkable early maturity 

 and excellent fattening possibilities of the breed entitle it to a 

 much larger distribution. The hog is more of a favorite perhaps 

 in the eastern states than in the Corn Belt, where its popularity 

 is now on the increase. 



Cross-breeding of the Chester-White with other breeds shows 

 excellent results. Especially is this the case when crossed with 

 the Poland-China or Berkshire breeds, or with grade sows derived 

 from either of these breeds. In this manner the coarser quahties 

 of the Chester-White are in part toned down, and the strength of 

 the pasterns improved. 



