THE HOG AS A DOMESTIC ANIMAL. 95 



leaders, which take alarm at the slightest appearance of danger, and 

 are ready on an emergency to act on the defensive. This Forest 

 breed, however, is now rarely to be seen in its purity in fact, it is 

 passing away, cr perhaps rather merging into a more domestic and 

 mingled stock, thereby losing its pristine characteristics. 



Lincolnshire is one of the counties noted for an excellent breed 

 of pigs. The old race were gaunt, slow-feeding, unprofitable animals, 

 with heavy heads and flat sides ; but the improved breed of the 

 present day are well-formed, of moderate size, easily fattened, and 

 produce excellent flesh ; they are white, with fine skins, and spa- 

 ringly covered with bristles, which are slender ; the ears are erect 

 and pointed, the body long, straight, and round. These pigs, deserv- 

 edly esteemed, may be fatted to about 630 Ibs., and when at the 

 age of a year and a half, many are found to range between 280 and 

 420 Ibs. A cross between the Lincoln and Chinese breed though of 

 diminished size is found to attain more rapidly to maturity than 

 the pure Lincoln, and fattens quickly upon a very moderate allow- 

 ance of food. 



Norfolk produces excellent pigs, somewhat smaller than those of 

 Lincolnshire, but closely agreeing with them in characters ; they are 

 well-formed, fatten quickly, and yield fine meat. Besides this breed, 

 a smaller race prevails in many parts of Norfolk, descended, as it 

 would appear, from the Chinese, which it greatly resembles. These 

 pigs are in great estimation ; they fatten readily on a small quantity 

 of food, and their flesh is delicate. 



Suffolk, now noted for its improved breed, formerly possessed 

 only a coarse, lank, and thriftless stock ; but this has given place 

 to a mixed race, admirable for symmetry, and quick and early fat- 

 tening. The most generally approved breed is a cross between the 

 Suffolk, Berkshire, and Chinese. These animals are rather small, but 

 compact, short-legged, and small-headed ; the body is round, and 

 they fatten readily. At the age of a year, or a year and a half, 

 many are found to weigh from 240 to 300 Ibs., and produce first-rate 

 bacon. The flesh of the sucking-pigs and of the porkers is esteemed 

 for its peculiar delicacy. 



Besides this breed, which stands first, there is an excellent cross 

 between the Suffolk and Lincoln ; the pigs attain to a considerable 

 weight, ranging frc*n 420 to 560 Ibs. and upwards ; they are hardy, 

 and fatten readily. Another breed is between the Berkshire and 

 Suffolk, and this has its admirers ; it is easily kept in good condition, 

 fattens quickly, and makes excellent bacon. It is, however, longer 

 in the leg and less compact in symmetry than the tri-cross between 

 the Suffolk, Berkshire, and Chinese. The improved Lincolnshire 

 race is much valued in Suffolk, as is also the improved Essex breed, 

 established by Lord Western, and esteemed throughout the kingdom. 

 It is black, short-nosed, deep-jowled, short and thick in the neck, with 



