546 



JUDGING FARM ANIMALS 



to her pigs. In the show ring one cannot always determine 

 this matter of temperament, but, as a rule, the brood sow 

 that is quiet and easily moved about may be regarded as 

 having the most desirable temperament. Occasionally one 

 finds a sow that is lazy and awkward, lacking in activity, 

 and not disposed-tij-attend to her pigs. She is almost as 

 bad as the high strung, nervous sow, for she rarely raises 

 a litter. 



The size of the brood sow should be large, without coarse- 



Fig. 297.- 



"Tlie most distinguishing sex feature of tlie sow is tlie 

 mammary glands or udder." 



ness. The present day tendency is to demand; brood sows 

 with plenty of size and a reasonable amount ,of quality. 

 In the show ring the larger animal, other things being equal, 

 is given the preference. One reason for the great popu- 

 larity of the Duroc-Jersey in the middle v/est is the 

 considerable size of the matured females. The compact, 

 tidy, quick-maturing sort, that at one time was in favor, 

 has given way to the larger, slower-maturing, more ca- 

 pacious animal. A brood sow weighing around 400 to 450 

 pounds in the best of breeding condition will meet with favor. 

 Some breeds, like the Large Yorkshire, at maturity, weigh 



