SWINE. 377 



first,' and he describes the animals as ^ rather small, but com- 

 pact, short-legged, and small-headed ; the body is round, and 

 they fatten readily.' Rham, in his ' Dictionary of the Farm,' 

 says : ' Suffolk pigs are perhaps, on the whole, the most popular 

 of any breed in England.' 



" For the introduction of the Improved Suffolk pigs into this 

 country, we are indebted to the late William Stickney, of 

 Boston. He made several importations, comprising some of 

 the best specimens of the breed to be had in England, from 

 1842 to 1848. He also imported specimens of the Middlesex 

 and of the White Essex breeds. Since these importations, 

 there have been others, and the stock is now bred to a con- 

 siderable extent in New England, and is rapidly spreading over 

 the country. 



" The Suffolks, as before stated, are not large hogs, but attain 

 maturity at an early age, and may be always in condition to 

 kill from the time they are a month old. They readily weigh 

 from two hundred to three hundred pounds at six to ten months 

 old, and a proportionate weight at twelve months. The pork 

 is so much esteemed, that it generally commands from a cent 

 to two cents a pound, extra, in Boston market. 



" The Middlesex. — This appears to be a popular breed in^ 

 parts of England, and has sometimes carried prizes at the shows 

 of the Smithfield Club. It has been previously stated that Mr. 

 Stickney imported Middlesex pigs into this country. He re- 

 ceived a lot in 1844, and another lot in 1848. The breed is 

 evidently derived from a large infusion of the Chinese with, 

 some larger stock. Our remarks refer to those introduced- 

 here. The color is usually white. The size of the animals is 

 perhaps somewhat larger than the Suffolk, but the carcass is 

 less symmetrical ; the frame is more loose, the legs less straight^ 

 the knees apt to be turned in, the belly is more hanging, and* 

 the general appearance indicating a softer texture of flesh. 

 They fatten easily. They have often been crossed with the 

 Suffolk, but with no advantage to the latter, so far as the writer 

 has seen. The late Mr. Stickney, continued the stock unmixed, 

 for several years ; but it is not known to be so bred by any 

 one in this country at the present time. 



" The Mackay Breed, formerly well known in Massachusetts^ 

 48* 



