THE LARGE WHITE BREED OF PIGS. 463 



Next in point of time we notice the Messrs. Howards, of 

 Bedford, who, selecting the best they could obtain from the 

 two breeders we have named, produced animals remarkable 

 both for form and quality ; Mr. James Howard still exhibits, 

 and, though not so successful as either the Lincolnshire or 

 the Yorkshire breeder, always holds a respectable position. 

 It was the produce of a cross between Wainman and Duckering 

 that were disqualified at Birmingham some years ago, on 

 account of variety of dentition and also difference of character, 

 Much satisfactory evidence was produced at the time, showing 

 clearly that the pigs were of one litter, which was to us 

 evidenced by the fact of their remarkable variety. Animals 

 differing so widely in character were likely to produce variable 

 offspring. Later on, Lancashire carried off laurels. Mr. Peter 

 Eden, after having been most successful with pigeons, took 

 up pigs, and did great things both with the large, small, and 

 middle-bred sorts. 



Naturally, the result of attention has been to develop an 

 animal with more quality and greater tendency to early maturity. 

 Still the large white pig of the present day retains some traces 

 of the original ; we have the large and overhanging ears, and 

 the long large head ; the width of the body, though much 

 greater than of old, bears no proportion to the length ; and, 

 fairly symmetrical as we now find the matured animals, they are 

 decidedly flat-sided as compared with either the Berkshires or 

 the Suffolks. The back is now level, and the shoulders full and 

 complete, but the hind quarter usually drops a good deal, and 

 the bone is strong, though perhaps not much in excess. The 

 nature and quality of the hair varies a good deal. It is not 

 unusual to find a decided want of coat — a drawback, since the 

 skin unprotected is liable to crack. In the best specimens we 

 have long and moderately fine hair, but never the curly 

 profusion which adds such beauty to the small white sort. 



Less prolific than in days of old, we still find the large white 

 varieties good breeders, and it is not unusual even in a showyard 

 to see ten to twelve in a litter. The sows are good mothers, 

 and yield abundance of milk on suitable food ; but there is an 

 unfinished, inelegant appearance in the youngsters which is 

 unmistakable, and contrasts forcibly with the admirable pro- 



