THE AMERICAN TYPE OF PIG 469 



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 mar- 

 ket 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 objection- 

 able, 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, at least of the floor of the 

 chest, usually stand with the knees close together and are what 

 is sometimes termed "knock-kneed." 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 ground. A strong, well-sustained pastern is important. If 

 the foot is weak and the pasterns badly depressed the animal 

 shows a tendency to support its weight improperly. 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 

 properly support the weight. 



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

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

 ribs are well sprung, and the loin is broad and thick. In the case 

 of breeding stock the back may not appear wide, although feed- 

 ing would soon give it considerable breadth. The width should 

 be carried the entire length from shoulders to hips, offering 

 excellent room for covering. As one views the back from front 

 or rear, the width is carried uniformly. A tapering from front to 

 rear is not in good form, indicating heaviness of shoulder and 

 lightness of loin. As one views the back from the side, it 

 should run rather parallel with the lower line. A droop is 

 quite common, but this is the result of a weak back and 

 so is objectionable. 



