CHAPTER X 



OTHER BREEDS OF HOGS 



In addition to the standard breeds of hogs which are most 

 numerous in the United States, there are other minor breeds, a 

 number of which have only local distribution. Others have in the 

 past been more or less popular but have lost popular favor because 

 of deterioration in the breed or some other reason. These minor 

 breeds are : Essex, Victorias, Cheshires, Suffolk, Large Black Pig, 

 and Middle White. None of these breeds are raised to any extent 

 in the United States. 



The Essex originated in Essex County, England, and belongs 

 to the small breeds, being much smaller than the present day pop- 

 ular breeds. It is all black in color, smooth and compact of body. 

 The Improved Essex was imported into the United States in large 

 numbers at one time, but practically no Essex have been brought 

 into this country during later years. The Essex is quick maturing 

 and easy fleshing, but its lack of size prevents it from becoming 

 popular with the farmer. 



The Victoria is a medium sized hog, with a rather short snout, 

 dished face, erect ear, and white in color. The breed was originated 

 about 1870 by Geo. F. Davis, Dyer, Ind., and was formed by com- 

 bining the blood of the Berkshire, Chester White, Suffolk, and 

 Poland-China. Although a breed known as the Victoria was orig- 

 inated in 1850 by Col. F. D. Curtis of New York, the breed is not 

 generally recognized as a distinct breed and is not widely known. 



The Cheshire breed was originated in Jefferson County, N. Y., 

 about 1855. Some believe that Cheshire is simpty a derivative of 

 the Yorkshires, as Yorkshires were brought into Jefferson County 

 and crossed with white pigs of that neighborhood. It is also be- 

 lieved that Suffolk blood was used in breeding up the Cheshire. 

 The Cheshire is a white medium sized breed with slightly dished 

 face, small erect ear, fine bone, with well developed shoulders and 

 hams. The breed has made very slow progress and is practically 

 unknown outside of the United States. 



The Suffolk is a small breed, with dished face, small and very 

 short snout, erect ears, and a thick short body, set up on very short 

 fine boned legs. The hair is of a pale yellowish white color. This 

 breed is of the same origin as the small Yorkshire. There is no such 

 breed as the White Suffolk recognized in England, but the name 

 is sometimes applied locally to the Small Black breed, of which the 

 Essex is a representative. The breed has practically disappeared in 

 Canada and is found only in small numbers in the Mississippi 

 Valley in the United States. 



The Large Black Pig, as its name would signify, is solid black 

 and of large proportions, one of the characteristics being a very 



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