JUDGING THE LARD TYPE OF SWINE 495 



width of hody. Creases on the side of the face sometimes 

 occur, but these are objectionable. Special treatment of the 

 head is frequently required after killing, in order to remove 

 the hairs from the creases of the face. The cheeks should 

 be full and smooth. In scoring the head, discriminate 

 especially against seams and roughness. The eyes of the 

 hog should be not only wide apart, but easily seen, having 

 clear whites. Such eyes indicate a quiet temperament. 

 Frequently the eyes are almost hidden, due to excessive fat 

 about this part of the head. Byes in short, dish-faced heads 

 are less easily seen than in long heads. The eye of the hog 

 is naturally small, but his vision is far better than some 

 might suppose, if he has a fair chance at all for an outlook. 

 Partial or complete blindness is not rare among the im- 

 proved breeds, and this defect should result in disqualifica- 

 tion by the judge. The ears assiime an erect position in some 

 cases, irrespective of breeds, while with others they may 

 droop over close to the face. This is not important unless 

 one is considering breed character. It is important, how- 

 ever, that the ear be of good texture, covered with fine 

 hair, and neatly attached to the head. The heavy, coarse 

 ear, large at the base, is indicative of general coarseness. 

 Some authorities, in describing the ideal ear, specify that 

 it should be small, but the large ear need not necessarily 

 be coarse. The ear may be large and thin, and quite lacking 

 in coarseness, as occurs with a number of European breeds. 

 If large and thick, and heavy at its attachment, the ear is 

 quite sure to be coarse and unshapely. The jotvl is the 

 thick, fleshy part at the base of the lower jaw and neck. 

 This part usually carries considerable roundness and full- 

 ness, and indicates condition of fleshing. The fatter the 

 hog, the more highly developed the jowl, which in its best 

 form should be round, smooth and firm, and full to the 

 space between the shoulder points. One objectionable fea- 

 ture is often found at the jowl— the occurrence of creases. 

 In judging, emphasize smoothness more than fatness, Flab- 



