78 



SOUTHERN PORK PRODUCTION' 



importance, since it has to do with the improvement and 

 preservation of the purity of the breed. The success of 

 all swine breeders, whether breeders of pure-bred swine 

 or producers of pork, is dependent to a greater or lesser 

 degree on the swine record associations. Were it not for 

 our record associations our present perfection would soon 

 be lost and largely absorbed by the abundance of unim- 

 proved swine. The recording work of the associations 

 becomes all the more important as the number of indi- 

 viduals in the breed increases. These swine breeders' 

 associations are generally officered by men who have 

 attained more or less distinction in some way in connec- 

 tion with the breed they ser\'e. Stability and perfection 

 in organization are two important essentials for complete 

 success of the swine record associations. 



Exploitation work of record associations. — Aside from 

 the work and good the swine record associations do in 

 keeping the records of breeding, they should advance the 

 interests of the breed they record in e\'ery way possible. 

 Above all, they should encourage perfection and improve- 

 ment in the individuals of their breed. 



Swine shows create a desire for better stock, but they 

 fail to show wherein one can profit by the adoption of the 

 pure breds or improved types instead of the unimproved 

 scrubs. The farmer must be able to see the economic 

 value of making any change before he makes it. One way 

 in which this can be encouraged is for a method to be 

 devised whereby the reasons for making awards in the 

 show ring can be explained. The judges, and others, 

 sometimes try to suppl)' this much needed information, 

 but the record associations should also strive to show the 

 advantages of the pure bred over the scrub. The breed- 



