406 



A fiTUDY OF FARM ANIMALS 



should be easily seen from front and rear. In this inspec- 

 tion compactness of form, and quality, should be manifest. 

 One may easily determine the quality by eye examination, 

 but a feel of the hair will reveal marked differences in qual- 

 ity, that along the neck and front part of the spine being 

 always the coarsest. Wliile condition may be easily seen 

 and estimated by the eye, if one will press with the ends of 

 the fingers along on the back and sides, a better idea will be 

 had of the depth and evenness of covering and condition of 

 skin. In the case of aged boars, there will be noted a very 

 thick, coarse development of skin over the shoulders, known 



Figure 184. — The points of the hog. Reproduced from "Judging Farm 

 Animals," by ttie author. 



as the "shields." This is an inheritance from the wild 

 ancestors, and really served as a shield; for, when fighting, 

 pigs strike with their heads against the shoulders of the 

 opponents. The tusks of the boar can not easily tear through 

 this shield. Yet this thick, heavy covering of hide is very 

 objectionable, and the best show animals do not have it. 

 Symmetry of form is important ; if the front part of the body 

 is thick and heavy, and the hind part narrow, the form cer- 

 tainly will not appear symmetrical or well balanced. 



