The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-07-31
SECURING EXPERT JUDGES.
System of Examination Applied to Those Who
Pass Upon the Merits of Swine.

The National Association OF Expert Judges Of
zion that to-day begins q four.days' meeting at
the Exposition Building. The association is as
yet a young affair. growing out Of the Indiana
State Association OF Judges of Swine, which
first assumed definite formation o little over q
gear ago. AZ that time all judges upon the
qualities of cattle. swine and stock at State aud
county fairs were chosen at random from men
who at some time in their lives had dealt in
such stock. There was no standard necessary
Tor a Judge to reach. and. as q result, it became
o universal complaint among stock exhibitors
that justice was not dealt out in all cases,
aud this shortening was attributed to the
incompstency OF the acting judges. The
demand for men Who were capable of rendering
o scientific decision. rather than q random
Ruess. increased uttii 1t reached q point where
some action was necessary. Several attempts
were made by tn exhibitors and owners to
arrange Tor some mans by which a man would
he compelled TO pass some suitable examination
before bs could act u the capacity of judge, and
among the swine breeders this movement was
fret instiga:ed. Last winter q call was issued
for q meeting in Thu city. and ten States sent
representatives Apermanent organization was
effected and . Stateassociation was the result.
The policy that was adopted at that meeting
association was formed.
Tbs policy is q simple one. but Of great value,
1t issaid, to fair committees. 1t embraces q
eyscm similar to tae examination of candidates
forchoolteaching, and Is managed in much the
san, way. Up to a certain time the names Of
III Bpirants for thB name of expert Judge on
wine are received by w. II. Morris. the secre-
airy of the board, and at the expiration of this
line . meeting is held to decide upon the sbili-
les OF the applicants. Each is furnished win
n blank achAdula- and al all annlicRufs Daaa
Judgment upon tbs same hog, each is expected
10 msrk upon measurement, size. physical
makeup and general qualities. Each hog Is in
spected separately. and no COMPARISONS are per-
mitted- In this way each Individual hands in
a written decision. perfectly independent Of any
aid or assistance. These scores are then aver
aged, and the results filed by the secretary, after
which. in the presence OF the board of officers,
each OF the applicants for certificates explains
his marks on each hog and his reasons therefor.
His ability TO make a fair estimate of a hogs
qualities Is then decided by the board, aad If
successful a certificate is given emitting him TO
the name OF expert judge. aud his name is inn
mediately fled upon the list from which the
executive committees Of the many fairs Of the
country choose.
the last meeting. which was held here in
April, the examinations covered the inspection
OF over thirty head Of swine. and most ~satisfac-
tory results were accomplished. 81 regard this
newly-insttuted plan of choosing iudpasD
said secretary Heron, Yesterday. las
one OF the most beneficial movements
that has yet been made In that line. Hereto
fore We have been compelled to take almost aoy-
oooy that came along as q judge. and you can
readily see that such a course could NOT give
complete satisfaction. l only recre. tina, the
same plan cannot &c followed out with all other
stock before the opening eff the fair this wear
But we are glad that We have thus far succeeded
In the work. and before very long we expec, "a
offer 10 exhibitors Of all varieties OF stock a List
of judges TO choose from who will oe more com
petent than they have been To the past Tne
meetings OF the association will close on Friday
and the entire time will be devoted to the az.
animation of swine by applicants for expert GER
ii6cates.