CHAPTER VI 



HAMPSHIRES 



The Hampshire hog of today is a combination type being 

 adapted for both bacon and lard. The breed is of English origin 

 and according to Mr. H. F. Work, at one time secretary of the breed 

 record association, the Hampshire traces to pigs brought to Massa- 

 chusetts from Hampshire,' England, about 1820. Descendants of 

 this importation were taken to Kentucky about 1825, and for a 



A Typical Hampshire 



number of years were kept pure and became popular with hog 

 breeders in Kentucky, Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana, but eventually 

 became so mixed with other breeds that it was hard to find a pure 

 bred Hampshire. 



In the early 70 's, there were several herds along the Ohio River, 

 known as Thin-Rinds, which continued to exist until the American 

 Hampshire Swine Record Association was established in Boone 

 County, Kentucky, in 1893. This association by active work began 

 to improve and popularize the breed, and in 1904, the name * ' Hamp- 

 shire" was officially adopted for the breed. 



The Hampshire hog has made good records in the dressed car- 

 cass contests and the barrow shows at the International Live Stock 

 Expositions and other national shows. It is held in high esteem by 



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