CHAPTER I IT. 



BLACK SUFFOLK PIGS. 



E have taken the black Suffolk as our second illustra- 

 tion of the porcine races, because — although not by 

 any means distinguished as an ancient breed — they 

 have latterly assumed a superiority in our show yards 

 over other black breeds not Berkshire, which entitles them to a 

 foremost position. Those who are unacquainted with the breed 

 have frequently and erroneously confounded them with the 

 Essex variety, known as Lord Western's or Mr. Fisher Hobbs' 

 sort, whereas, when contrasted, they are as different as the 

 Shropshire and Southdown sheep. The chief differences are as 

 follows : The Essex are higher on the leg, have fine skins with very 

 little hair, are rather slack round the collar and jowl, and have 

 narrow pointed features, with small upright ears ; whereas the 

 black Suffolks are short on the leg, long in the body, well coated 

 with long silky hair, the forehead broad, the nose short and 

 slightly turned up, ears rather short, but broad, with a tendency 

 to droop forward ; splendid shoulders, great jowl, body wonder- 

 fully symmetrical — the Suffolk more nearly realises the theory 

 of the parallelogram than any other animal we know of ; the tail 

 is set quite on a level with the hips, the hams are deep 

 and wide. The presence of such good hair indicates constitu- 

 tion, and this we may safely claim for the Suffolks. Considering 

 the extraordinary aptitude to feed, their fertility is creditable ; 

 large litters are not to be expected, but we frequently have eight 

 or nine. 



To Thomas Crisp, of Chellesford Lodge, Suffolk, is due the 

 credit of first bringing the breed into prominence, with his very 



