opposite, i.e. an endeavour to so vastly increase
the size that they ceased to supply the kind of pork and the size of
joints which the general public demanded. It may be natural for fanciers
to declare that a Small White or a Small Black pig must be a small
animal, but this is only on comparison with the large breeds of the same
colour and characteristics. The usefulness of the pig in the commercial
world must be studied if any breed of pig is to hold its own on the
market.

The opposite extreme to that followed by the breeders of the small
breeds is that of the breeders of Large Whites, who look upon mere size
as the most important of the points to be studied. The mere increase in
bulk, in length of head and leg and weight of bone may appeal to the
mere fancier or faddist, but by paying undue attention to these fancy
points the actual object of the breeding and fattening of pigs is lost
sight of, and the consumer who is after all the one whose wants must
first receive study, is estranged and the commercial market is lost.

In the following pages will be found full particulars together with the
scales of points, as issued by the various societies, of the chief
breeds and varieties.

* * * * *

STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE

LARGE WHITE

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.

EARS.--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 under line.

FLANK.--Thick, and well let down.

QUARTERS.--Long and wide.

HAMS.--Broad, full, and deep to hocks.

COAT.--Long and moderately fine.

ACTION.--Firm and free.

SKIN.--Not too thick, quite free from wrinkles.

Large bred pigs do not fully develop their points until some months old,
the pig at five months often proving