1.922.] 



The Large White Pig 



•279 



ance and is more continuous. The number of breeders of Large 

 Whites does not appear to have increased in recent years. 



Although the sows of the Large White breed are at 1 ast the 

 equals of sows of any other breed or cross in prolificacy, in milk- 

 ing, and in the general duties of motherhood, the strongest claim 

 for popularity of the Large White pig probably rests on its won- 

 derful capacity for crossing on pigs of almost any breed and 

 rendering the joint produce suitable for the wants of the bacon 

 curer. At the present time it is declared that no breed or cross 

 of pigs so nearly supplies the wants of the manufacturer of the 

 bacon which realises the highest price on our best markets and 

 which is in the greatest demand than does the cross-bred pig 

 produced by a Large White boar and a Large Black sow. 



The National Pig Breeders' Association has published what is 

 termed a standard of excellence which may be of some value 

 but which might perhaps be of still greater assistance if the 

 market and breeding value of each point had been stated. It is 

 as follows : — 



Colour. — White, free from black hairs and as free as possible from blue spots 

 on the skin. 



Head. — Moderately long, face slightly dished, snout broad, not too much turned 



up, jowl not too heavy, wide between the ears. 

 Earn. — Long, thin, slightly inclined forward and fringed with fine hair. 

 Neck. — Long and proportionately full to shoulders. 

 Chest. — Wide and deep. 



Shoulders. — Level across the top, not too wide, free from coarseness. 



Legs. — Straight and well set, level with the outside of the body, with flat bone. 



Pasterns. — Short and springy. 



Feet. — Strong, even and wide. 



Back. — Long, level and wide from neck to rump. 



Loin. — Broad. 



Tail. — Set high, stout and long, but not coarse, with tassel of fine hair. 

 Sides. — Deep. 

 Ribs. — Well sprung. 



Belly. — Full but not flabby, with straight underlines. 



Flank. — Thick and well let down. 



Quarters. — Long and wide. 



Hunt*. — Broad, full, and deep to hocks. 



Coat. — Long and moderately line. 



Action. — Firm and free. 



Skin. — Not too thick, quite free from i wrinkles. 



Objections. — Black hairs, black spots, a curly coat, a coarse mane, short snout, 

 inbent knees, hollow ness at back of shoulders. 



Large bred pigs do not fully develop their points until some 

 months old, the pig often proving at a year or 15 mouths a much 

 better animal than could be anticipated tit 5 months and d ce 

 versa, but size and quality are most important. 



