SWINE DESCRIPTION OF BREEDS. 963 



Mr. Smith, who furnishes us the cuts of this breed, says of 

 them : " From the most reliable information, this most valuable 

 breed of swine were originated by crossing the very large 

 Cheshire with the pure bred Yorkshire and Lancashire, and were 

 exhibited with very great success at all the leading fairs in the 

 State of New York from twenty-five to thirty years since, car- 

 rying off nearly all the premiums wherever exhibited. They 

 were sometimes exhibited as Cheshire and Yorkshire, or improved 

 Cheshire in many instances; but having been bred pure for many 

 years in a direct line, without a particle of blood of any of the 

 dark breeds, they are now, and have been during many years 

 past, regarded as a distinct breed, and the males, therefore, pos- 

 sess to a most wonderful degree the power of impressing their 

 own form, characteristics, and pure white color when crossed 

 upon other breeds. They are larger than the Suffolks, with a 

 much finer bone and coat than the Chester Whites, and grow 

 equally as large, with a much greater aptitude to fatten at an 

 early age. Their great value over other breeds consists in their 

 quiet, gentle disposition; their ability to produce and care for 

 large litters ; their lean, juicy hams and shoulders ; their choice 

 breakfast slices, and fine grazing qualities. All admirers of high 

 bred, pure and white swine will be very greatly interested in 

 the rearing of this important breed." 



Lancashires. There are three families of this breed of 

 hogs. 1st. "The Short-faced Lancashire;" 2 d. " Large Lanca- 

 shire," and 3d. " Lancashire Middle Breed." 



The first is described as follows : Face short from the eyes 

 to the end of the snout; prick ears, small bones, a good coat of 

 white hair, cubic in form, with broad back and broad hams well 

 set down. The skin as well as the hair is white, although an 

 occasional one may be found having a few dark blue spots in 

 the skin, but never dark or black hairs. These hogs were first 

 imported to the United States in 1870. Several subsequent im- 

 portations have been made. 



" The Large Lancashires " have large bone, are of great 

 height and length, and are claimed to be the largest breed of 

 hogs known. They were first imported in 1870. 



