366 PIGS 



with the Large Yorkshire and the Large Black pig, known 

 locally as the Cornish long-eared. They make long and 

 heavy pigs of twelve score weights, which bacon-curers want, 

 but are rather big-boned. In the Oswestry neighbourhood 

 the predominating colour is red with black spots all over ; 

 but it diminishes, owing to the use by some breeders of pure- 

 bred Tamworth boars. Pigs of this variety, for which even 

 the distinction of a breed has been claimed owing to its 

 antiquity, grow very large. Most farmers keep three or 

 four every year to kill, about twelve months old, averaging 

 some twenty score, and going up to twenty-five score or more. 

 The 'surplus they usually sell as stores (weaners and shots) 

 from 253. up to 503. each, many of which find their way to 

 the considerable monthly fair at Llanerfyl. 



Spencer says of the descendants of the old spotted breeds 

 of the Midland Counties like those of Northampton, 

 Leicester, and Oxford shires : " The breeders can claim that 

 they are prolific, good sucklers, hardy, good rustlers, and 

 make splendid pigs for cottagers, as they have considerable 

 storage capacity : but their fattening qualities are capable of 

 being improved." Many have been crossed with Berkshires, 

 and have become nearly all black, while others blended with 

 Tamworths are rusty coloured, but very hardy. 



DARK BREEDS 



The Large Black pig l is one of our oldest breeds. No 

 history of its evolution exists. It has only recently emerged 

 from comparative obscurity, as, prior to 1900, its showyard 

 appearances were confined to classes at the Royal Cornwall 

 Agricultural Society, the Devon County Agricultural Associa- 

 tion, the Suffolk Agricultural Association, and a few local 

 shows. Since that time, classes for Large Blacks have been 

 instituted at the Shows of the Royal Agricultural Society, 

 the Bath and West, and the Smithfield Club. 



Large Blacks have been carefully bred in Cornwall since 

 before the middle of last century by R. S. Oliver of Trescowe, 

 George Lucas of Leigh Barton, and their forebears ; but the 

 Kenwards of Pilt Down, Sussex, are credited with maintaining 



1 Indebtedness is acknowledged to the Historical Statements issued 

 ( 1 904) by the Large Black Pig Society (incorporated 1899), and written 

 by the Secretary, Ernest Prentice, 64 Oxford Street, Ipswich. 



