REARING AND FEEDING OF ANIMALS. 



393 



The SUSSEX BREED is either a variety of the Essex, just described, or, as some 

 assert, the original stock. It is smaller than the Berkshire, and of very hand- 

 some form, the general size when full grown seldom exceeding two hundred 

 and eighty pounds. The bone is not particularly small, but it is clean; the 

 animal is of a kindly disposition to fatten, and arrives at maturity sooner 

 than any other kind. 



The DISHLEY BREED, which were at one time as celebrated as all the other 

 kinds of Mr. BAKEWELL'S stock, are remarkably fine boned and delicate, and 

 are supposed to be partly descended from crosses of the Berkshire and Chi- 

 nese. They were certainly carried to great perfection, and have reached to 

 considerable weight in a very small compass, being, when fat, nearly equal in 

 height, length, and thickness; their bellies ^nearly touching the ground, and 

 their eyes scarcely to be seen for fat: the whole carcass appearing a solid mass 

 of flesh. The form of these pigs possesses considerable beauty, and is well 

 calculated to lay on a large quantity of meat, compared with their bone and 

 offal. They also keep themselves in good condition on a moderate quantity 

 of food, and are easily fattened. 



Such are their general characteristics; but to these merits there are said to 

 be opposed very considerable defects. They have been found slow of growth. 

 tender constimtioned, and to require proportionally more food in fattening 

 than the large breeds. It should, however, be remarked, that the experiment 

 upon which the latter assertion is founded, was made by feeding tiro Dishley 

 hogs against one from a cross between a Berkshire and a large white Shrop- 

 shire hog; and that while the Dishleys consumed jointly the most food, the 

 other weighed singly more than the two. This, however, is not alone deci- 

 sive of their respective merits, which could only he accurately ascertained by 

 a reference to the butcher; as a material difference would no doubt arise in 

 favour of the sale of two small animals, when opposed to that of a single 

 large one. 



THE WOBURN BREED. 



The WOBCRN BREED is a new variety, introduced by the Duke of Bedford, 

 and hence sometimes called the Bedford breed. They are of various colours, 

 well-formed, hardy, very prolific, kindly disposed to fatten, and have attained 

 to nearly twice the weight of some other hogs within the *ame given period of 

 time. This breed has been imported into this country, and is highly esteem- 

 ed by many of our farmers; they are justly acquiring great celebrity. 



Besides these there are: 



The Hampshire, the specific characters of which are colour chiefly white; 

 neck and carcass long, and the body not so well formed as the Berkshire pig>; 

 1'tit they fatten kindly to a very great size and weight, and make excellent 

 bacon. 



The Xort/iiimpton. which are also white, \rith very short legs, ears enor- 

 mously lartre, often sweeping the ground; size large, with coarse bone and 

 hair, and many bristles. They fatten to a great size, but not very kindly, and 

 are reared chiefly in the county of Northampton. 



The Shropshire, which appear to be a variety of the Northampton race, to 



