502 



JUDGING FARM ANIMALS 



loss in dressed weight. Buyers note sharply this feature. 

 One must not confound this characteristic in the fat hog, 

 with the paunchy look of breeding females, or of young 

 pigs with full bellies. In the latter this condition will 

 change, while the paunchy belly on the fat hog, as a rule, 

 continues its undesirable development. Flanks that are full 

 and carried low down are associated not only with depth of 

 body, but thickness as well. Fullness of flank, especially in 

 front, accompanies strong heart girth and vigorous consti- 

 tution. A full hind flank, showing a tendency to roll some- 

 what when the animal is in motion, is evidence of easy 

 fattening quality. "When the flanks on the same side are 

 low and full, the body line below is quite level and likely 

 to be parallel with the upper line of body. The wise judge 

 will not give a superficial examination to the flanks. 



The hindquarters of the lard type of hog, in the estima- 

 tion of most judges, represent the most valuable part from 

 a commercial point of view. This is because we have here 

 the heaviest weighing part, commanding the highest .price 

 per pound. The rump is a continuation of the back line, 

 from the outside of the hips to the end of the body. As 

 one looks down on the rump from behind, it should show 



the same width 

 throughout, exhib- 

 iting thickness and 

 weight. As viewed 

 from one side, the 

 ideal rump will be 

 long and level, that 

 is, the top line will 

 be continued as 

 nearly level as pos- 

 sible, quite close to 

 the setting on of 

 the tail. However. 

 it is quite natural 

 for the rump of the 



Fig. 278. "It is quite natural for the rump of 

 the hog to slope considerably." 



