54: HARRIS ON THE PIG. 



at twenty-four months old. * Emperor ' (fig. 22) is 2 ft. 

 8J in. high at the shoulder, and 6 ft. 1 in. long. Boars 

 bred at Boxted have been known to reach 36 in. in height. 



kt The defect of the improved Essex is a certain delicacy, 

 probably arising from their southern descent, and an ex- 

 cessive aptitude to fatten, which, unless carefully counter- 

 acted by exercise and diet, often diminishes the fertility 

 of the sows, and causes difficulty in rearing the young. 

 As before observed, they are invaluable as a cross, being 

 sure to give quality and early maturity to any breed, and 

 especially valuable when applied to a black breed where 

 porkers are required. For this purpose they have been 

 extensively and successfully used in all the black pig dis- 

 tricts of this country [Great Britain], where, as well as in 

 France and Germany, and in the United States, they have 

 superseded the use of the imported Neapolitan and Chinese. 

 Many attempts, on a limited scale, to perpetuate the breed 

 pure, have been unsatisfactory, because it is too pure to 

 stand in-and-in breeding. They require much care when 

 young. ' In the sows the paternal fattening properties 

 are apt to overbalance the milking qualities, and make 

 them bad nurses.' 



" The Berkshire breed have benefited much from the 

 improved Essex cross. The best Devonshire pigs have a 

 large infusion of the same strain. The improved Dorsets, 

 the most successful black pigs ever shown at the Smith- 

 field Club shows, have borrowed their heads at least from 

 the Essex breed. The improved Oxfords are the result 

 of a judicious blending of pure Neapolitan, Berkshire, 

 and improved Essex blood ; and throughout the midland 

 and western counties, the results of Lord Western's 

 Italian tour are to be found in every parish where a black 

 pig 4s patronized. 



" The history of this breed affords a good illustration of 

 the advantages of the system under which landlords, 

 stimulated by patriotism or competition, or mere love of 



