Pig Raising: A Manual for Pig ClubsNolan, Aretas Wilbur
Science
Pig Raising: A Manual for Pig Clubs
Nolan, Aretas Wilbur
Swine
=Bacon-type.= The bacon hog has a longer side, less fat and a smaller
ham. Canada, Denmark, and Ireland produce the finest hogs of this
type. Bacon hogs furnish the “Wiltshire side,” in which ham, side, and
shoulder are marketed in one piece. This cut commands a higher price
on the European continent than pork from the lard hog. The weight of
this type of hog for market varies from 160 to 200 pounds. The form of
the bacon-type is quite different from the form of the lard-type. The
hog has longer legs, the body is not so thick or deep, the shoulders,
neck, and jowls are lighter. The hog should be longer from shoulder to
ham, with sufficient depth and thickness to denote good constitution.
Quality, as in the lard-type, is indicated by a smooth coat of hair and
an unwrinkled skin. The finished bacon hog “handles” firmer to the touch
than a finished lard hog. The bones of this type are larger, but they
should present a clean-cut appearance. The loin is the most valuable cut
in this hog, and should be as wide as the rest of the back, full, strong,
and well packed with flesh. The ribs should spring out boldly from the
backbone and turn sharply downward, giving a straight, flat side. The
leading breeds of the bacon-type of swine are the Tamworth and the Large
Yorkshire. Sometimes the Hampshire is so classed.
=Lard-type.= The lard hog is a native of the corn belt. This type of
hog has a compact, thick, deep, smooth body. The ham, back, loin and
shoulders are the most valuable parts and are developed to a higher
degree. The production of lard and fat is the principle aim of this
type. Quality is denoted by fine hair, smooth, clean, unwrinkled skin,
rather fine bone, and an even distribution of flesh. The jowls should
be broad, plump, and full, and the belly not baggy in appearance. The
hog should have short upright pasterns. The snout should be fine, the
face wide between the eyes, and the space between the ears wide and
full. Width between the eyes and fullness and width between the ears
indicate a good feeder. The neck should be short and deep and should
blend smoothly into the shoulder. The shoulder should be well developed,
blending smoothly into the body and covered evenly with flesh over all
parts. The back should be broad, slightly arched, of medium length and
thickly fleshed. The ribs should be well sprung, the sides deep and even
between the shoulders and ham. The ham should be broad, deep, plump,
and heavily fleshed well down toward the hocks. The rump should be as
wide as the back. The legs should be short, straight, set well apart and
squarely under the body. The above brief description is general for all
breeds of the lard hog. The Poland China, Chester White, Berkshire, and
Duroc-Jersey are the popular breeds of this type of hog.
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