636 



Saddleback or Sheeted Pigs. [Oct., 



good qualities, particularly those needed in pigs to be converted 

 into bacon of the highest market value. These include fine 

 quality of skin, bone and hair, Kghtness of forequarters. square- 

 ness of hindquarters, and a comparatively long back. Their flesh 

 is also of good quahty and possesses a large proportion of lean 

 meat. It is quite possible that these good points will be esteemed 

 of still higher value in the near future if the marked extension 

 of the pig-breeding industry continues, as one of its results will 

 be the production of a considerably increased number of pigs 

 beyond those which are required for the pork trade alone. The 

 surplus will need to be converted into bacon, a purpose for which 

 the sheeted pig is beheved to be particularly suited. 



The breeders of saddleback or sheeted pigs both in the East 

 and in the South appear to have realised the fact that the require- 

 ments of the bacon factor are worthy of the greatest consideration 

 and they have endeavoured to improve their pigs on the lines 

 indicated. It might be advisable if even still further attention 

 were paid to length of body and shape and development of the 

 ham, as these are two of the most important points in the bacon 

 curers' model pig. 



Each of the Societies has formulated a Standard of Excel- 

 lence, that of the Essex Society being as follows : — 



Head. — Medium length, broad. 



Ears. — Medium size, carried forward, but not Hopped. 

 Nech. — Medium length, 



SJioulders. — Broad, but not open, deep, smooth and compact. 



Chest. — Deep, full girth. 



Back. — Straight, broad and level. 



Loin. — Broad and strong, free from slackness. 



Ribs. — Well sprung and deep. 



Sides. — Deep and full, long and smooth and free from wrinkles. 

 Flanks. — Full and well let down. 

 Hams. — Broad and well filled to hocks. 



Legs. — Strong, straight, well set, with clean bone, feet medium size. 

 Tail. — ]Medium, fine and curled w4th white tip and well set on. 

 Hair. — Fine and silky. 



Colour.— B\2i.ck with the exception of white belt encircling the shoulder 

 including forelegs, white hind legs not higher than hock, white 

 nozzle and white tip to tail. 



Condition. — Uniform covering of flesh, especially in region of valuable cuts. 



Objections : — 



Head. — Badger face. 

 Ear. — Erect or floppy. 



Colour. — Blue coloured band between white and black on shoulder. 

 Black hind legs and tail. 



