462 MODERN FARRIER. 



proverbial, and he has never observed in any breed 

 greater or quicker proof. 



9. The Shropshire Breed. 



This is another large sort of hogs, which are 

 found valuable where the keep is in sufficient abun- 

 dance for their support. They are not so well 

 formed as those of the Berkshire kind, or equal to 

 them in their disposition to fatten, or to be sup- 

 ported on such cheap food. The standard colour 

 of this breed, accordiiig to the above writer, is white 

 or brinded : and that anterior to the late improve- 

 ment, they might be looked upon as nearly as pos- 

 sible the original large breed of England. They 

 are a breed of the largest size, flat-boned, deep and 

 flat-sided, harsh or rather wiry-haired, the ear large, 

 head long, sharp, and coarse, leg too long, loin, al- 

 though \eYy substantial, yet not sufficiently wide, 

 considering the great extent of the whole frame. 

 With all their defects, they were, he says, ever ex- 

 cellent stock, and have been improved within the 

 last fifteen years by the Berkshire cross, which has 

 reduced the length both of their legs and carcase, 

 and rendered their heads lighter : in consequence 

 the new variety, shewing the Berkshire Spots and 

 form, feeds quicker than the old sort of these ani- 

 mals. Shropshire has long been employed in breed- 

 ing stores for the supph^ of the London feeders, and 

 of the Essex farmer, who thus turn their clovers to 

 the most profitable account. 



10. The GloucestersMre Breed. 



■■ This is likewise a large breed, but inferior to 

 either of the above, being tall and long in sha|>e, 

 and by no means so well formed. The colour is in 

 general white. It has two wattles hanging from 

 the throat. Mr. IMarshall supposes tliis to have 

 been the prevailing breed of the island. 



