ugh to satisfy some of our reformers,
as an endeavour is being made to reduce the limit of twelve months to
nine months, so that in future the classes will be for pens of two pigs
not exceeding 100 lbs. live weight, for pigs not exceeding six months
old and for pigs between six and nine months old, with certain classes
for single pigs under nine months. It is contended that fat pigs cannot
be profitably kept after they reach the age of nine months. Another
innovation of recent years at the Smithfield Show has been the
establishment of the so-called slaughter classes. This is probably by
far the greatest improvement of recent years in the pig section. Classes
are provided for pigs not exceeding 100 lbs. live weight, pigs weighing
over 100 lbs. and not exceeding 220 lbs., and for pigs above 220 lbs.
and not exceeding 300 lbs. live weight. The pigs are first exhibited and
judged alive, then slaughtered and the carcases judged on their pork
merits. There is also one class for pigs above 160 lbs. and not
exceeding 240 lbs. live weight best suited for the manufacture of bacon.
These various classes have created great interest and have proved of the
greatest educational value.

Another beneficial effect of the changed conditions is the elimination
from the summer show-yards of fat sows guiltless of milk and
accompanied in the pen by half a score of young boars and yelts of an
age varying from three months upwards, and which together were exhibited
in the class for breeding sows, or breeding sows and pigs. A fine fat
sow which would take kindly to an unlimited number of adopted youngsters
was in those days almost as valuable as a small gold mine. An old and
well-known pigman, Dick by name, assured the writer that no fewer than
sixty-three young boars and yelts were sold in one year off or when in
company of one well-known sow. At the present time the pigs shown with a
sow must be certified to be her produce and not to exceed the age of
eight weeks.

It is at all times difficult to discover the motive power for certain
actions on the part of a human being. It has been declared that there is
an equal amount of doubt as to the cause of a breeder of stock wishing
to exhibit his animals. Surely this last assertion is at least of a
doubtful character. What greater proof could a stock breeder give of his
pride in his animals than a burning desire to expose their good
qualities to the public gaze. In addition to this, few men are enti