264 



AGRICULTURE 



HOGS 



History. Our domesticated hogs are descended from the 

 wild swine native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. These wild beasts 



are lean and scraggy, active and 

 fierce. They live in swamps, 

 jungles, and forests, and feed on 

 vegetable and animal food. The 

 wild hog was probably first domes- 

 ticated in China. Through thou- 

 sands of years of care, various 

 breeds have been developed there 

 which are "bladders of lard and 

 fat." Hogs are now raised in 

 almost every region outside the 

 Arctic Circle. 



American and English Breeds. 

 Several breeds have been developed 

 in the United States, which, like 

 those of China, have much fat and 

 little lean. The best-known Amer- 

 ican breeds are the Chester White, 

 Poland China, and Duroc Jersey 

 or Jersey Red. 



The English improved breeds are descended from the native 

 old English hog with foreign crosses. They are what are called 

 bacon breeds, having longer bodies and legs and giving a larger 

 proportion of lean meat than the Chinese and American hogs. 

 Among the best-known English breeds are the Yorkshire, Berk- 

 shire, Tamworth, and Essex. 



SCRUB HOG 



At two years old, it weighs 50 lb. Does 

 it pay to raise such stock ? 



