24 HARRIS ON THE PIG. 



pigs weighing 50 Ibs. each. The larger the pig, the less 

 surface is there exposed to the atmosphere in proportion to 

 weight. 



It follows, therefore, that a large pig, eating more food 

 and losing less animal heat, would have a greater amount 

 of food to be appropriated to the formation of fat and 

 flesh, in proportion to live weight, than a smaller pig of 

 the same age. 



So far as this kind of reasoning goes, therefore, it would 

 seem that the large breeds of pigs are preferable to the 

 small breeds. 



This conclusion is opposed to the opinion of a large 

 number of very intelligent and observing pig breeders 

 and feeders. There can be no doubt that the weight 

 of testimony, so far as the production of a given amount 

 of pork from a given amount of food is concerned, is 

 against the large breeds. 



The truth of the matter is probably this : The small 

 breeds mature earlier than the large breeds. This in itself 

 is a great advantage. The pigs are not only ready for the 

 butcher at an earlier age, but as animal life is always at- 

 tended by a constant transformation of tissue, every day 

 we gain in time, saves the amount of food necessary to 

 supply this waste and keep up the animal heat. 



Early maturity, therefore, is one of the principal aims 

 of the breeder and feeder. But early maturity is always 

 attended with a diminution of size ; and the small breeds 

 owe their value, not to their small size, but to their early 

 maturity and tendency to fatten while young. 



In point of fact, however, the term Small Breed or 

 Large Breed, as used by our Agricultural Societies, has 

 no very distinct meaning. The New York State Agricul- 

 tural Society offers prizes for two classes of pigs and 

 only two. 



1st. " Large Breed ; which, when full grown and fatten- 

 ed, will weigh over 450 Ibs. dressed." 



