THE AMERICAN, OR LARD, TYPE OF PIG 685 



and flabby, is desirable. Wrinkles or seams on any part of the 

 head are distinctly objectionable, as set forth on page 687. 



The neck should not be long, but rather broad and short, with 

 a smooth blending at head and shoulder. The tendency is toward 

 a narrow neck on top ; too much width or depth does not 

 often occur. 



The breast and chest indicate constitution. When the breast 

 is wide and deep, the breast bone carried well forward, and the 

 curve about the chest good and strong both above and below, 

 plenty of room for the heart and lungs is shown. A narrow 

 chest is inconsistent with vigorous development and good feeding 

 qualities. 



The shoulders should fit smoothly back into the body, showing 

 no roughness or openness at the top. A smooth, broad, evenly 

 fleshed shoulder on the fat pig is most desirable from the market 

 point of view. The mature boar will show some thickness and 

 heaviness of skin here at the " shields," -those parts inherited 

 from the wild boar as a protection in fighting. It is objectionable, 

 however, even with the boar, to have notable thickness of shoulder, 

 as this is quite liable to be transmitted. 



The front legs should show good position, superior bone, and 

 shortness. Standing in natural position, viewed from in front, the 

 legs should stand just under the shoulders, the knees straight, 

 the toes directing forward, the entire position indicating easy 

 posture. Pigs of narrow heart girth usually stand with the knees 

 close together and are what is sometimes termed " knock-kneed." 

 Viewed from one side the leg should come down true and 

 plumb from the center of the shoulder, standing strong on the 

 toes, with pasterns fairly erect and dew claws (the rudimentary 

 toes on back of leg) well above the foot surface. A strong, well- 

 sustained pastern is important. If the foot is weak and the 

 pasterns badly depressed, the animal supports its weight poorly. 

 A clean, smooth, hard bone, with strong yet not coarse joints, 

 represents the better leg development. Too fine and small a 

 bone is often seen with pigs when they really should have 

 a heavier bone to support the weight properly. 



The back and loin of the American type of pig in most favor 

 is of medium length, has a strong arch from front to rear, the 



