CHAPTER VIII 



THE TAMWORTH 



The Tamworth is one of the oldest breeds of improved swine, 

 there being no out-crossing for more than 100 years. About or prior 

 to 1812 Sir Robert Peel, then secretary 'for the English Crown to 

 Ireland, brought from Ireland to his own estate in England, at a 

 place called Tamworth, a breed of swine, probably descendants of 

 the Irish Grazier. Sir Robert was much interested in improvement 



A "Bacon Type" Tamworth Sow 



of domestic animals, and "Kept this breed of swine pure and without 

 an outcross to the time of his death in 1850, and the breed became 

 known from that time on as Tamworth. 



In the first volume of the National Pig Breeders' Association 

 herd book of Great Britain, published in 1885, we find four Tarn- 

 worths recorded, two sows and two boars, Ruby 272, bred by 

 Lord Hastings, East Dereham, Norfolk; Sanda, 274, bred by Mrs. 

 Jos. Norman, Tamworth, England ; Ruf us, 261, bred by Lord Hast- 

 ings ; Sampson, 263, bred by Thos. Watson, Coleshill, England. 



In Vol. XI of the English herd book, 1895, is found the first 

 published standard of excellence. It is practically the same as is 

 in use today. The Tamworth was practically red in color, with 

 occasionally some black spots, these spots, however, denoting no 

 impurity of blood. It is objectionable merely as a fancy point, and 

 today very few black spots are seen. 



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