86 LESSONS IN AGRICULTURE 



LESSON XXVI 



THE HOG 



For this lesson go to see some good breed of hogs, or 

 have a good specimen brought to the school yard. 



The first point to mention is the hog's structural 

 adaptation to the life he leads. The skeleton is heavy 

 and low, allowing great accumulation of weight in flesh 

 and fat. The snout is strong and tough for rooting, 

 and the eyes are set below the ears, indicating his 

 ground-feeding habits. 



The chief value of the hog is its production of meat, 

 and if properly cared for, it will bring the farmer more 

 money than any animal on the farm. 



The most desirable type of hog has short legs, heavy 

 shoulders, small dished head, straight back and straight 

 under-lines, and heavy hams. The "razor back" hogs 

 are very unprofitable, and will not gain so rapidly under 

 feeding. 



The following are some standard breeds of hogs : 



1. Chester White 5. Poland-China 



2. Yorkshire 6. Duroc-Jersey 



3. Tamworth 7. Cheshire 



4. Berkshire 8. Victoria. 



Hogs will do better when kept as little as possible in 

 pens. But when they are kept in pens, cleanliness is 

 most important to reduce the danger of disease. 



Score the hog, using the following score-card and 

 marking the points : 



