SWINE IN ENGLAND. 79 



weight of 400 Ibs. He considers them far superior to, and more 

 profitable than the larger breeds. 



Other breeders have crossed with the Chinese and Neapolitan 

 breeds, and with some considerable success the extremes of the 

 large and small kinds happily correcting each other. The Berk- 

 shire pigs have also been employed as a cross, and hardy, profitable, 

 well-proportioned animals obtained. The original breed, in its purity, 

 size, and defectiveness, is now hardly to be met with, having shared 

 the fate of the other large old breeds, and given place to smaller 

 and more symmetrical animals. Mr. Smith, of Hoyland Hall, Shef- 

 field, whose kind replies to our queries we have to acknowledge, is 

 another great pig-breeder, and his swine have carried off numerous 

 prizes ; they appear to be descended from a cross between a York- 

 shire and Lord Western's improved Essex pigs. Their chief char- 

 acteristics are : smallness of bone, great development of the fleshy 

 parts, symmetry of form, and a strong propensity to fatten. Al- 

 though hearty feeders, a small quantity of food suffices for them. 

 When matured they readily attain the weight of from 400 to 500 

 Ibs. 



LINCOLNSHIRE. 



The true Lincolnshire pigs are white, with long, straight bodies, 

 round carcasses, fine skins, and few bristles ; the heads are well 

 formed and of moderate size, and the ears erect, pointing somewhat 

 forward, and curling slightly at the tips ; the hair is long and fine, 

 but scanty. This breed was formerly considered as superior to any 

 but the Berkshire in point of form and value, they being easily fat- 

 tened, and the flesh being tender, and of a fine flavor ; with care 

 they will reach 600 to 700 Ibs. ; and many, at a year and a-half old, 

 will weigh 350 to 400 Ibs. They certainly do not attain to their 

 maturity as early as some of the smaller breeds, but are, notwith- 

 standing this, profitable animals, and good, sound, handsome stock. 

 A cross between the Lincoln and Chinese pig is productive of an 

 animal presenting great tendency to fatten, and a small eater. 



The old breed of this county are long-legged, narrow-backed, un- 

 gainly animals, with thick skins, covered with short, thick hair ; the 

 head is large, the forehead wide, and the ears set far apart. They 

 are far from profitable animals, being enormous eaters, and fattening 

 but poorly ; few attain a greater weight than 250 to 280 Ibs, 



DERBYSHIRE. 



Here there is no prevailing breed. The greater part of the pigs 

 kept in this county come from Cheshire and Shropshire, and these 

 tre either left in their pure state, or crossed with some of the small 



