HOGS AND POEK PACKING. 199 



to arrive more speedily at maturity, to turn out more profitably, than one of questionable or 

 impure stock ; and such being the case, I consider that the head of the hog is by no means 

 a point to be overlooked by the purchaser. The description of head most likely to promise, 

 or rather to bo a concomitant of high breeding, is one not canying heavy bone, not too flat 

 on the forehead, or possessing too long a snout. The snout should bo short, and the fore- 

 head rather convex, curving upward ; and the ear should be, while peudulous, inclining 

 somewhat forward, and at the same time light and thin. Nor should the buyer pass even 

 the carriage of a pig. If this be dull, heavy, and dejected, reject him on suspicion of ill 

 health, if not of some concealed disorder actually existing or just about to break forth ; and 

 there cannot be a more unfortunate symptom than a hang-down, slouching head. Of course, 

 a fat hog for slaughter, or a sow heavy with young, has not much sprightliness of deport- 

 ment." 



BREEDS OF HOGS. 



There is not uniformity enough in the variety or breeds of hogs grown in 

 the west to describe them under one general head, or to give any one the 

 preference over others for all locations. 



The. general quality, however, of the present day is far superior to that of 

 twenty or thirty years ago, when it was the exception to find hogs in market 

 weighing over one hundred and fifty to two hundred pounds, and these were 

 principally of the racer breeds, such as must make their mile in about three 

 minutes. These are now known as the " Land Pikes," " Prau-ie Rooters," 

 "Elm Peelers," &c., &c. 



The enterprising " Suckers," "Hoosiers," &c., have, however, found that a 

 much greater profit can be realized in raising a better class of hogs, such as 

 shall mature in the shortest time, and make the heaviest hogs at about eighteen 

 months' age. 



As in other sections of the country, the various breeds have had their run, 

 such as the Suffolk, Berkshire, Yorkshire, Irish Grazier, Poland, Essex, and 

 Chinese, and more recently the Chester Whites. There are some other hogs 

 that have a more local fame in the west, the most prominent of which is the 

 McGee or Magee breed, originated and disseminated by a gentleman of that 

 name in Ohio. 



It is unnecessary to go into a general description and history of these various 

 breeds, as they are too generally known to make it important. 



In the northern part of the State the Sufiblk and its crosses predominate. 

 There have been large numbers of the Suffolk imported into the west for 

 several years, principally from the Stickney stock, in Massachusetts, Mr. 

 Stickney having been a large importer and breeder. 



The Hon. John Wentworth, of Chicago, has also given much attention to 

 the breeding and dissemination of this class of hogs, and has annually a large 

 sale of them. 



The west is also largely indebted to Hon. L. G. Morris, of New York, for 

 improvements in the Suffolk hogs. From published foreign testimony the 

 Suffolk stands very high in England. 



In the central part of this State it is much more common to meet with the 

 Berkshire breed, either pure or crossed. In 1857 the Illinois Importing Asso^ 

 dation brought from England several head of Berkshires and others, which 

 were sold at iiigh figures. The Berkshires have proved very prolific, and be- 

 come very popular. One of the original pigs then brought over (" Siddington") 

 is still alive and doing good service. 



The following is a list of the swine brought over and the disposition made 

 of them : 



BERKSnmES — BOARS. 



Name. Age. Purchaser. Price. 



Edward 1 year W. D. Sanger $2P0 



Siddington 6 months J. C. Crowder 40 



Pipton 6 months "W. D. Sanger 35 



Gipsey Boy 18th, 7 months Jesse Cloyd 200 



" 19th, Tmonths E. B. Hitt 150 



