SWINE. 



373 



Description. Color pure black, any white or spots of other color being inadmissible; 

 they have a short dished face, broad between the eyes, ears small, soft, and standing nearly 

 erect while young, but coming down somewhat as they get older; jowls full; neck short 

 and thick; shoulders short from the neck, but deep from back down; back broad and 

 straight. The body should be of medium length, broad, deep, and straight, with heavy 

 hams; bones fine, but sufficiently strong to support the body; skin pliable; hair fine and 

 soft, and not very heavy; no bristles; legs short and fine, but straight and set wide apart; 

 hoofs erect; size medium. 



When matured, the improved Essex will weigh from 300 to 400 pounds. They mature 

 early, are prolific, and possess great vigor of constitution. The pork is of fine quality and 

 flavor, having a good proportion of lean meat. They are good graziers, doing well where 

 there is a plenty of grass and pure water, and will endure a hot climate better than many 

 breeds. Mr. Joseph Harris, author of a work on swine, says of them: 



&quot; No hog cholera or similar disease has ever affected my herd. I have now over three 

 hundred hogs, and I attribute their health and freedom from all disease in great part to the 

 fact that the herd is summered on grass. 



ESSEX SOW, &quot;BLACK PRINCESS.&quot; 



The Essex are so quiet, so refined, so docile, that they will keep fat on grass, I can rarely 

 afford my hogs the luxury of a clover pasture. Those farmers who have plenty of clover, 

 could not do a more profitable thing than to keep plenty of Essex swine. In sections liable 

 to visitations of hog cholera, my plan would be to keep Essex and their grades, and feed 

 them largely on grass. 1 am confident that we could raise healthier, better, and cheaper 

 hogs by the introduction of more Essex blood, and by feeding more grass and clover. The 

 subject is one of national importance. 



If I were .not the owner of a single Essex hog, I would say that I believe there is no 

 breed of hogs whose general introduction would prove so immediately beneficial and 

 profitable as the Essex.&quot; 



In England these hogs are marketed in great numbers when from five to eight months 

 old, for light family pork. 



