THE COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SWINE 509 



body. It was this defect, slight as it was, which resulted 

 in the defeat of an otherwise very choice pen. This de- 

 cision illustrates, that, in the final measurement of the 

 judge, he must frequently emphasize the importance of 

 non-essentials, in arriving at a decision. 



A comparative placing card for swine will be found 

 serviceable for students, and may be arranged after the 

 following plan. This card has been filled out for illus- 

 trative purposes. Each part may thus be discussed and 

 compared in detail, and differences brought out that might 

 otherwise be quite overlooked: 



Comparative Placing Card 1st 2cl 3a 4th 



for Swine Place Place Place Place 



Size A D C B 



Condition A B D G 



Quality A G B D 



Head B A D G 



Neck and jowl A B D G 



Shoulders A B D G 



Back A B D C 



Eump B A G D 



Hams A B D C 



Legs B A D G 



Feet B A D G 



Placing A B D G 



The reason for placing the hogs in a ring in their regu- 

 lar order of merit, student or judge should be able to give. 

 No uniform rule is to be applied in the matter of giving 

 reasons, for much more may be expected in some cases than 

 in others. Close competition requires more explanation 

 than where the decision of the judge has been easy. The 

 reasons, however, should deal with features that the well- 

 informed would at once recognize as of first importance. 



The following discussion of placing a ring of market lard 

 hogs, was prepared by a man who gives especial attention 

 to the judging of swine: 



