THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



CHESTER WHITES. 



THIS breed derives its name from its having originated in Chester County, Pa. The 

 history of its origin is as follows: In the year 1818 a fine pair of pigs were brought 

 into this country from Bedfordshire, England, by Capt. Jarnes Jeffries, and sent to 

 his farm near the county seat. Some of the more enterprising farmers of the neighborhood 

 appreciating the desirable qualities of these animals, were encouraged to commence improv 

 ing their swine, which they did by crossing the descendants of this pair upon the best 

 formed and most desirable native stock that could be obtained; and thus by a course of care 

 ful and judicious crossing and selection for a number of years, the present valuable breed of 

 systematically formed, good sized, and easily fattened hogs were produced, commonly known 

 as Chester Whites. 



This breed of swine has been very popular and much prized on account of their large 

 size and the ease with which they fatten. They will readily weigh 200 to 225 pounds at 

 from five to six months old, and from 400 to 700 pounds at twelve or fourteen months, while 

 it is not unusual for an old hog, when well fatted, to attain the weight of 1,000 pounds. 



CHESTER WHITES, BRED BY BENSON, MATJLE & CO., PHILADELPHIA, PA. 



They are gentle, quiet, easily kept, and may be fattened for the market at almost any 

 age. 



Description. This breed may be described as follows: A short head; broad between 

 the eyes; slightly dished face; medium sized ears projecting forward and dropping at the 

 tips; body long and particularly deep; back broad and straight; hair heavy, generally wavy, 

 and snow white; skin soft, white, and thin. 



The Chester Whites are a prolific breed, and make excellent mothers. In breeding, it is 

 always best to permit the animals to attain a good size, in order to keep up the large size and 

 prevent the prominent characteristics of the breed from deteriorating. These hogs always 

 give good results when either kept pure or crossed on other breeds. 



