776 SWINE 



The size of the Essex pig is small compared with the Poland- 

 China or Berkshire, ranking among the smaller breeds. In 1860 

 Samuel Sidney wrote that " with age they attain considerable 

 weight and often make 500 pounds at twenty-four months old." 

 Sidney states that the Emperor, a boar bred by Fisher Hobbes, is 

 2 feet 8^ inches high at the shoulder and 6 feet I inch long. 

 Mr. F. D. Coburn quotes William Smith, an extensive breeder 

 of the Essex in Michigan, that these pigs often reach a weight of 

 400 to 500 pounds. Dr. Chase of Kansas places their weight, 

 under ordinary treatment, when full grown at 250 to 275 pounds. 



The Essex as feeders rank high in combining early maturity 

 with great flesh production. The capacity of the breed to lay on 

 flesh has not been placed on record by American investigators, 

 but it has long been famous as a profitable feeding kind, although 

 producing a fatter pork than is at present in favor abroad. The 

 temperament of the Essex is very docile, which naturally promotes 

 easy as well as profitable feeding. 



The quality of Essex meat is fine and of excellent flavor, but 

 a large per cent of fat to lean meat prevails unless care is exer- 

 cised in the kind of foods fed. Mr. J. A. Smith of Ipswich, 

 England, who breeds and shows the Essex, is quoted by Professor 

 Long as saying that "one objection which is urged against the 

 breed is their tendency to produce an undue proportion of fat, 

 consumers complaining that the bacon is not sufficiently streaky." 



The crossbred or grade Essex pig may be of considerable com- 

 parative value. A half century ago it is said that the Berkshire 

 breed was much improved by Essex blood. In fact Essex blood, 

 as improved by Lord Western and Fisher Hobbes, is said to 

 have been responsible for much of the improvement through 

 crossing or grading in the herds of England. It is a well- 

 established fact that the Essex used on the coarser, rougher 

 type imparts quality and early maturity. 



The fecundity of the Essex pig became impaired by its exces- 

 sive development in fat production, a criticism made against the 

 breed years ago. Mr. Smith, already quoted, says that his pigs, 

 when properly managed, are very prolific, fifteen or sixteen being 

 frequently in a litter, although ten to eleven is a fair number. 

 The breed, however, does not stand high in this respect, being 



