468 THE PIGS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



prove how capable thej are of early maturity. The coat varies 

 as to length and character ; we have the thick short staple and 

 the long curly sort, which is not so closely set, but in no case 

 have we strong coarse bristles, which indicate a thick skin and 

 slow growth. 



Such are the general features of the small white breeds. 

 They are very handsome, it will be allowed ; but, as we said 

 before, they are too small, and perhaps delicate (especially in a 

 young state) for the million, consequently we rarely find them 

 pure, save in a few instances, where their value for crossing is 

 understood. Like the Leicester sheep, they have done good 

 service in improving others ; indeed, the middle-bred whites owe 

 their extremely useful character principally to the influence of 

 the small sort. 



During a young state, shelter, warmth, and care are required. 

 It is not desirable to commence breeding until the hilt is ten 

 to twelve months old, care being taken that the litters are 

 produced in spring and autumn, so as to avoid extremes of 

 heat and cold. The hilt should be kept well during the later 

 stages of pregnancy; but an over-fat condition, which is so 

 easily produced, should be carefully avoided. There is danger 

 to the progeny if the organs are coated with fat, and the result 

 will be a wretched, puny, and uneven lot, the sow will have 

 difficulty in parturition, and the milk will be deficient. It 

 frequently happens, especially when these precautions are not 

 attended to, that the first litters are very small — four or five 

 on an average, and these somewhat irregular as to size. It is 

 as well not to retain any for breeding, but to select our future 

 dams from a second or third litter, when the maternal powers 

 of the sow are matured. Occasionally we find here, as else- 

 where, a much more prolific character than we have described 

 as the rule ; but such will be found in herds where forcing for 

 show is not the rule, but only the exception, and where the 

 animals so treated are sold off. 



It is most unwise to buy animals for breeding purposes that 

 have been got up for show. If justifiable at any stage, it is 

 when the animals are young, say not over six or seven months, 

 as careful reduction may restore a healthy condition ; but it is 

 not always successful, and puny and defective litters — if the 



