Irish and Foreis:n. 235 



'b' 



the Berkshire cross, that county originally 

 taking the lead in the foreign improvement. 

 Berkshire and Hereford boars and sows 

 have been used, within the last twelve or 

 fourteen years, in the improvement of the 

 Irish breed of hogs, a coarse, hairy, and 

 leggy variety, at length successfully im- 

 proved into a form so nearly resembling that 

 of our English stock, as to be with difficulty 

 distinguished. Of those, both dead and 

 alive, Ireland exports immense quantities 

 to this country. The West India Islands 

 and the Azores ought not to be forgotten 

 as producing a fine and delicate breed of 

 PIGS, originally, it may be presumed, 

 Spaniards, which have at various periods 

 found their way thither, and been used 

 for the purpose of refining ouj* native breeds. 

 It has never occurred, that I am aware, to 

 our breeders, to preserve any of the fine 

 foreign varieties pure, whence possibly a 

 still more delicate pork might be raised, 

 than any we at present possess, granting the 

 attempt were made with those which fur- 

 nish muscular flesh or lean, as well as fat. 



