206 



DOMESTIC Ai^IMALS. 



able porker and a good store, for he feeds well, fattens rapidly, and 

 arrives early at maturity. 



Norfolk. — A small breed, with pricked erect ears ; color various, but 

 generally white. The white-colored are said to be the best; when 

 striated or blue, the breed is inferior, at least generally so. This is a 

 short-bodied and compactly formed pig, and is an excellent porker. 

 There is another Norfolk variety, of larger size, spotted, but inferior in 

 point of delicacy. 



TUB LEICESTER SOW. 



Leicestershire. — An ancient breeding district, and once greatly cele- 

 brated for its swine. The old stock were large-sized, deep in the car- 

 cass, and flat-sided ; the head and ear light and hand.some, color light- 

 spotted. 



Lincolnshire. — The old Lincolnshire breed was light-colored, or even 

 white, with, in most specimens, a curly and woolly coat, of medium 

 size; good feeders, came early to maturity, and fattened easily. 



The Essex w\as in former days a very capital hog, but degenerated, 

 and, of course, lost the esteem of breeders. A recollection of the former 

 good qualities which characterized the breed induced some persons of 

 practical judgment to revive it, which was accordingly done ; and now 

 tliis hog, under the name of 



The Improved Essex, ranks, most justly, very high amongst the British 

 breeds of swine. The improvement of this hog is due to a cross with 

 the Neapolitan ; and this cross has been so frequently resorted to, that 

 the pure Essex breed and the Neapolitan are so much alike that it is 

 not every cursory observer who is capable of discriniinating between 

 them. It is probable, also, that the Chinese was employed in the re- 

 generation. The Essex hog is up-eared ; has a long, sharp head ; also a 

 long and level carcass, with small bone; color most frequently black, 

 or black and white. This is a quicker feeder, but he requires a greater 

 proportion of food than the weight he attains to justifies; besides which, 

 he is troublesome in a fokl, being restless and discontented. The- pure 

 breed should be almost bare of hair, and black in color. 



There is another improved Essex breed called the Essex half-hlacJcs, 



