SWINE. 



363 



In the foregoing facts briefly stated, have been indicated in a measure the original sources 

 of our improved breeds of swine, and the physical changes which have been wrought in this 

 animal by the treatment it has received in the hands of intelligent breeders. It will also be 

 seen that the greatest improvements in our domestic breeds of swine have resulted by crossing 

 with the hog of China and Italy. The hog of India has also aided much in this improvement. 

 The Chinese imparted a remarkable aptitude to fatten, while the Neapolitan, and hogs of 

 India, that of excellence of flesh and improved form. 



An able writer has said that &quot;the breed goes in at the mouth.&quot; With other conditions, 

 such as shelter, watchful, sanitary care, and proper selection for breeding being included, 

 we heartily endorse the statement; for with a distinct object in view, the breeder can arrange 

 to have the pig travel slowly or quickly to the pork barrel, as may be desired ; this being 

 accomplished by allowing only such animals to breed as are suited to the purpose aimed at. 



IMPORTED CHINESE SOW. 



No one, however, should expect a high success as a breeder of any stock without proper 

 management and care, including regiilar and liberal feeding, for without interest sufficient to 

 induce him to give personal supervision and generous treatment to his animals, he has no 

 reason to be disappointed if the result be meager and unsatisfactory generally. It has been 

 found that a few months even, of neglect and starvation, will, in the majority of cases, 

 counteract nearly all the advantages which the breed has acquired by generations of careful 

 breeding and proper management. 



Neapolitan Swine. This breed of swine is noted for the excellent quality of its 

 flesh, fine form, small bones, thin skin, slight quantity of hair, and aptitude to fatten readily. 

 To this breed and the Chinese is due much of the improvement of all the English breeds, 

 particularly the Berkshire, Essex, Yorkshire, and Hampshire. The first importations of 

 these hogs into the United States was about 1840; they are described as having been of a 

 dark slate color. 



Neapolitans have a small head in proportion to the size of the body; face dishing; forehead 

 bony and flat; snout rather long and very slender; ears small, thin, and standing forward 

 nearly horizontally; jowls very full; neck short, broad, and heavy above; body long, cylin 

 drical, and well ribbed back; the ribs arching; back flat; hind quarters slightly higher than 

 the fore; legs small, with small joints; hams and shoulders well developed and containing a 

 VOL. II. 21 



