Pig Farming 



81 



During- the twenty-three years that its Society has been in 

 existence, the Large Black breed has undoubtedly made remarkable 

 progress both in so far as improvement in tj^pe and increase in num- 

 bers are concerned. According to the Census figures issued by the 

 Minister of Agriculture, there were no less than 10,854 pure-bred 

 registered Large Black pigs in the United Kingdom in 1919, or in 

 other words approximately twice as many registered pigs as that of 

 any other pure breed of swine. In the Union we have also experienced 

 increases of a somewhat similar nature. During- 1916 for example, 

 only about 200 pure-bred Large Blacks were registered in the S.A. 

 Stud Book, whereas during the 8i months — 1st July, 1921, to 15th 

 Aprill, 1922 — this number has soaired to 705. 



Improvement in type has also been brought about in many im- 

 portant respects, without in any way sacrificing prolificacy and 

 ^a>zing ability, for which characteristics the breed has long been 

 held in high repute. During the past decade particular attention 

 has been paid to early maturity and quality, in both of which respects 

 the breed has improved out of all recognition. 



'Suduuuiuij j\.mb"' (imported), at the age of eight years. This sire was for many 

 years the herd boar at Elsenbirrg, whose Large Blacks are to-day linebred 

 to him. 



(6) Breed Characteristics. — The head should be medium in 

 length, and the snout ordinarily straight. Certain strains have been 

 developed for a moderate dish in the forehead, wdiich is highly 

 desirable, as it allows the ears to fold over well, and carry down to 

 the tip of the snout. Where the entire face is particularly straight 

 one frequently finds that the ears have a tendency to hang wide and 

 short in comparison with the length of the snout. The dishing should 

 be the result of a distinct drop from the poll to between the eyes, 

 from which point the snout should extend straight. Anything in the 

 nature of a snub-nose is highly undesirable, for the reason that it 

 cannot fail to make one suspicious of the presence of Berkshire or 

 other foreign blood. The ears should be long, thin, soft, and shapely, 

 with good width between them at the poll ; short, pricked, or cabbage- 

 like ears are to be descriminated against. The jowl should be of 



