JUDGING SWINE 63 



characteristic because when a ham has too much fat, it 

 cannot be sold entire and must be skinned. In such a 

 case the ham will sell at a lower price. 



The legs should be as indicated in the standard of ex- 

 cellence (page 53), which gives the hog good action and 

 strength to carry his weight, and is also an indication of 

 good quality. The tail should be of good quality and 

 have considerable size and length, because a tail that is 

 too small and fine may be an indication of over-refine- 

 ment and delicacy. 



Having considered the fat or lard hog for breeding pur- 

 poses, as above outlined, it is well now to consider the 

 fat or lard hog that is intended for market purposes. 



Fat or Lard Hogs for Market. 



STANDARD OP EXCELLENCE. Perfect 



^ Score 



FORM Long, deep, broad, smooth, symmetrical, compact, standing 



squarely on legs 7 



CONDITION Thrifty, well fleshed with lean meat and fat but firm. 12 

 QUALITY Thick even covering of firm flesh that is fine in grain ; 



hair fine ; bone fine, but strong ; skin smooth and fine, free 



from lumps and wrinkles; general refinement, but not delicate. 10 



STYLE Attractive 1 



ACTION Spirited, straightforward, regular, free and easy 2 



CONSTITUTION Chest capacious ; brisket advanced and low ; front 



legs well set apart ; ribs well sprung ; flanks full and well 



let down 5 



COAT Abundant, fine, straight, bright, smooth, evenly distributed, 



lying close to the body 0.5 



SNOUT Medium length, not coarse 0.5 



EYES Full, bright ; not obscured by wrinkles 0.5 



FACE Broad between eyes and ears, smooth 0.5 



EARS Fine texture, medium size, neatly attached 0.5 



JOWLS Smooth, firm, medium size, not pendulous 1 



NECK Medium length, deep, moderately thick; joining head to 



shoulders smoothly 2 



SHOULDERS Long, full, especially at lower end, compact, smooth, 



not too heavy 7 



BACK AND LOIN Long, broad, strong, even width, thickly and 



evenly fleshed 15 



SIDES Long, broad thick, firm, full, even width, free from wrinkles 



and flabbiness ribs long, carrying fullness well down 12 



