396 



A STUDY OF FARM ANIMALS 



and the ribs are well sprung. The hams do not show quite 

 the thickness of the Poland-China, but are not to be regard- 

 ed as specially deficient in this respect. 



In recent years there has been developed a great move- 

 ment among Duroc-Jersey breeders to produce hogs of con- 

 siderable scale and bone, of the true big type, with 

 marked length of body, strong arch of back, and superior 

 bone. The average individual of the breed will perhaps be 

 somewhat larger than either Poland-China or Chester White, 



Figure 178. — Duroc-Jersey boar, Great Orion Sensation, grand champion 

 National Swine Show, 1919, 1921. Owned by Ed. Kern, of Nebraslca. 



and weights of mature boars are often given at 600 to 800 

 pounds, and sows at 500 to 600 pounds. In size, however, 

 the Duroc-Jersey and Poland-China are in the same class, 

 with more extremes to be found in the latter than the former. 

 Duroc-Jerseys mature fairly early, and finish off in fatten- 

 ing at 200 to 250 pounds, at six months- of age. The breed 

 has not thus far made much of a showing in carcass test 

 competition. The sows usually have large litters, this being 

 the most prolific of the lard-type breeds. Duroc-Jerseys 

 are extremely popular in the middle-western states where 



