684 SWINE 



breeder or feeder. Size or weight has a bearing on the market 

 price, and pigs of this type, well fattened, weigh heavy for their 

 age. As a rule the tendency of the breeders is to produce stock 

 of large size, and " big type " is a common expression used 

 among those promoting the leading breeds. A popular weight 

 for nonbreeding stock on the market is about 225 pounds, which 

 is not far from the average weight of the pig sold on the 

 more important markets in the Mississippi Valley states. 



FIG. 323. A typical example of a lard type of hog, showing the short head, wide 



back, thick hams, deep body, and short legs. From photograph, by courtesy of 



the National Stockman and Farmer 



.The head should be comparatively short and wide in the fore- 

 head, without great length of snout. A very short snout is 

 associated with the smaller sort of pigs, so that a medium length 

 may not be regarded as undesirable. The end of the snout also 

 should not be too pointed, but should be wide and strong. The 

 space between the eyes should be wide and in fair proportion 

 with the rest of the head. A prominent, clean eye is important, 

 and excessive fat about the eyes is quite undesirable. 



The ears should be placed well on the head, be neatly attached, 

 and show refinement in quality of hair and texture. A large ear 

 is undesirable, one of medium size and neatly pointed being pre- 

 ferred. A smooth, round jowl, full and firm, yet not heavily fat 



