436 THE BREEDS OF LIVE-STOCK 



HAMPSHIRE OR THIN RIND SWINE. Plate XV. 

 By G. E. Day 



530. The Hampshire or Thin Rind is said to be a 

 bacon hog, but it may be placed more correctly between 

 the bacon and fat-hog types. Its show-ring winnings in 

 this country have been in fat classes. 



531. History. The original American name of this 

 breed is Thin Rind. In 1904, the organization which looks 

 after the interests of the breed changed the name to 

 Hampshire, which is now the official name of the breed. 

 It is the latest addition to the recognized pure breeds of 

 swine in the United States. 



According to H. F. Work, the Hampshire traces to pigs 

 brought to Massachusetts from Hampshire, England, 

 about 1820 or 1825. It is also stated that descendants of 

 this importation were taken to Kentucky about 1835. 

 Be this as it may, the breed has been known in Kentucky 

 for many years. Various theories regarding its origin 

 have been advanced, but it seems impossible to secure 

 definite and reliable information regarding the origin of 

 the breed. 



532. Description. The Hampshire is only medium in 

 size, and, if there is any difference, it will scarcely equal 

 the Chester- White and the Duroc-Jersey in weight. The 

 face is straight, and the ear is inclined forward but does 

 not droop like that of the Poland-China. The jowl is 

 lighter than that of the general run of fat hogs, as is also 

 the shoulder and the ham. The back is of medium width, 

 and the side has fair length but is not so deep as that of 

 a typical fat hog. The legs are of medium length, and 

 the bone is of good quality. It may be described as 



