LARGE WHITES PRAISED

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1934, Page 12

LARGE WHITES PRAISED

ONE OF THE BEST COLLECTIONS. The Large Whites and Large Blacks were judged by Mr. J. M. McLinden, M.R.C.V.S., of Massey College. Speaking of the former he remarked that the display was probably one of the best collections of Large Whites that had ever been gathered in a show competition. Not only were there many competitors but the quality was highland the animals were free from a “tail end.” “There is one difficulty, however, that of variation of type,” he continued. “This leads to difficulty in placing pigs after making the first award. There is .difficulty in holding to type so that the public may follow the judge’s idea, but one must give place to the good pig although it is not exactly of the type sought. Probably the greatest variation of type was to be seen among the young sows. There is a tendency in the young animals to show legginess arid too much daylight underneath the body. A number also show deficiency in the flesh of the hams.

“Although this might seem., strong criticism it is said with due regard to the fact that the classes are very strong, and only a few minor weaknesses are mentioned. There is inclined to be a departure from true type in regard to the heads, the ‘dish’ in some cases being too pronounced, while in others the nose is too riiort.

“One of the weaknesses to be avoided is in regard to the teats,” said the judge. “The testing of some sows commences too far back; the teats should be placed further forward. Exhibitors would be well advised not to bring sows with faulty teats. In some cases teats are seen which, if not blind, have, not been in use for a considerable period. If a sow cannot provide the accommodation to suckle its young it must be under a severe handicap. The exhibitors all brought out their entries in first-class order,” added Mr. McLinden. “Some very nice porkers,” was Mr. C. E. Forth’s brief comment on the special section, for baconers and porkers, of which he was the judge. “They were also well finished in most cases,, but some pigs did not appear to be in their right classes for their weights. The Large White purebreds in a special class for baconers were better than the open class for baconers, which is surprising as the latter should have attracted more than five entries. Some of the Whites were bad with skin pigment, this often being due to a poor cross in black and white strains. The Large Blacks are not a particularly good type for bacon, as often ‘seedy cut’ is prevalent and spoils the quality of the meat.” SPLENDID HACKS GOOD HORSES ON DISPLAY. The champion hack and reserve would be placed near the top in any show in New Zealand, declared the judge, Mr. W. Fisher, Cambridge. The champion was a splendid animal and the reserve was only slightly below him in standard, mainly because of his age.. The class as a whole, said Mr. Fisher, was right up to standard and the evenness of the magnificent entries was one of the surprising and. gratifying things. The jumping competitions in the afternoon had been marred to a certain extent by the habit of most of the riders of dashing at the fences too quickly. Pace, of course, was essential, but most of the riders went headlong at the fences. The standard of riding and horses, however, was as good as anywhere else. “BETTER THAN EVER” CLYDESDALES' IMPROVEMENT. “They are better than ever before,” said the judge, Mr. W. C. Wallace, Fencourt, when commenting on the Clydesdale mares and . fillies which he judged yesterday. He considered the champion and reserve champion both capable of holding their own in any company. The quality throughout was very even and there was. no “tail-endings.” In every way the stock was up to the standard shown at other A. and P. shows throughout the country. Mr. Wallace was also enthusiastic about the working horse class which he judged yesterday afternoon. The quality was, he said, extremely good.