20 SWINE GEOEGE E. DAY. 



back of the shoulder to the snout, and long from the back of 

 the shoulder to the rump. Owing to its being a compara- 

 tively cheap part, it should not be largely developed. It 

 must be remembered, however, that a little extra width of 

 shoulder is not nearly so objectionable in a breeding animal 

 as a narrow chest. In the boar, the shoulders are heavier 

 than would be desirable in a sow or a market hog, and as he 

 grows older, "shields" develop on the sides, which give the 

 appearance of roughness. The shoulders should be ver}' 

 compact on top, however, and should blend well with the top 

 line and the rib at this point. 



Breast. The breast should be wide to indicate a large 

 chest cavity, and hence plenty of room for heart and lungs. 



Legs. Strong, upright pasterns indicate good quality and 

 strength of bone. The bone has already been discussed 

 under quality. 



Back. A sagging back, or an unduly arched back, indi- 

 cates a weakness of muscling, and consequently a lack of 

 lean meat along this valuable part. The arch in the back 

 should be very slight, the highest point being over the loin. 

 A very wide back denotes excessive fat, and a very narrow 

 back, a lack of flesh, or lean meat. 



Loin. The loin is the most valuable part of a side of 

 bacon, and therefore should be strongly developed and well 

 packed with flesh. 



Rib. The spring of rib in a bacon hog is very character- 

 istic. It should arch out boldly from the back bone, then 

 suddenly drop in an almost vertical direction, giving a flat, 

 straight side. This point should receive especial attention 

 in judging, as it is a sure indication of a large development 

 of muscle along the back. 



Side. From a packer's standpoint, a pig cannot have too 

 long a side. Extremely long hogs, however, are inclined to 

 be narrow and shallow bodied, and to lack constitution. 

 The breeder, therefore, must exercise care in this matter, 

 and while he wants good length, he must be careful not to 



