24 A MANUAL ON THE HOG. 



an offspring admirably adapted to the purposes of the farm, 

 giving earlier maturity, a greater tendency to fatten, better 

 disposition, a larger proportion of the most valuable parts, 

 and a better quality of pork. 



That its cross is appreciated by those who have tested it 

 in Georgia is shown by the report of correspondents, forty- 

 six per cent, of whom give the preference to the Berkshire 

 cross. 



According to Harris, page 98, the improved Berkshire 

 was introduced into the United States in 1832. They are 

 now reared more extensively than any other breed, and 

 are deservedly popular in every section of the country. 



THE ESSEX. 



In "Harris on the Pig," pages 52-3, is the following 

 account of the origin of the Improved Essex : 



"The old Essex breed is described by Loudon as * up- 

 eared, with long, sharp heads, roach-backed, carcasses flat, 

 long, and generally high upon the leg, bone not large, color 

 white, or black and white, bare of hair, quick feeders, but 

 great consumers, and of an unquiet disposition.' ' This 

 was certainly not a very promising foundation to build 

 upon, and the results finally attained show what wonderful 

 transformations may be wrought by judicious cross-breed- 

 ing. He says further : 



1 ' Lord Western, while traveling in Italy, saw some Ne- 

 apolitan pigs, and came to the conclusion that they were 

 just what he wanted to improve the breed of Essex pigs. 

 He describes them, in a letter to Earl Spencer, as 'a breed 

 of very peculiar and valuable qualites, the flavor of the 

 meat being excellent, and the disposition to fatten on the 

 smallest quantity of food unrivaled.' 



"He procured a pair of thorough-bred Neapolitans, and 

 crossed them with Essex. * * * He oblit- 

 erated the white from the old Essex, and obtained a breed 



