464 THE PIGS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



portions of the smaller breeds. Early maturity is not to be 

 looked for ; the merits of these animals need time to develop. 

 At four or five months they are overgrown hobbledehoys; at 

 twelve to fifteen months they show their really grand propor- 

 tions, and if kept to this point will favourably compare as bacon 

 makers with any other breed. Except for particular markets, 

 such as the manufacturing or mining centres, large bacon> 

 however excellent, is not in such demand as the medium or 

 smaller sorts ; consequently we do not find the large breed so 

 greatly in request as formerly. Nevertheless a nicely-cured 

 ham cannot well be too big ; and we have always heard the 

 bacon well spoken of. 



Some few years since, the Earl of Ellesmere purchased largely 

 both the large, medium, and small white sorts from Mr. Peter 

 Eden — the latter retiring from the show ring. We are almost 

 afraid to say how much was paid for one boar, but we believe 

 it was three figures. This, however, was not for a large pig. 

 Under the able management of Capt. Heaton, Lord EUesraere's 

 agent at Worsley, several important auction sales have been 

 held, and a long array of prizes secured. On the whole, the 

 greatest success has been achieved with specimens of the small 

 breed, but many noble animals of the large sort have been 

 shown. Confining ourselves to the results of the Eoyal meetings 

 at Bedford and Taunton, Lord Ellesmere took three prizes : first 

 for a young boar bred by Mr. Henry Neild, and second for 

 Cultivator 9th, bred by Mr. E. E. Duckering; and first prize for 

 a valuable sow of his own breeding. At Taunton the Worsley 

 herd was more successful, as the first prizes for breeding sows 

 and pen of three breeding pigs were secured. Amongst other 

 breeders of acknowledged success may be mentioned the names 

 of Mr. Jacob Dove, Hauibrook, Grioucestershire ; Mr. Clement, 

 R. N. Beswicke-Eoyds, Littleborough, Lancashire ; the Messrs. 

 Howard, of Bedford ; Mr. Matthew Walker, of Anslow, 

 Burton-on-Trent ; and Mr. Walker Jones and Mr. Strickland, 

 of Thirsk. Our illustration, by Mr. Harrison Weir, represents 

 specimens from the Earl of Ellesmere' s herd. 



