CRACKLIN BREEDING. 



some readers may smile, namely, a thickness of the 

 skin, whence the cracklin of the roasted pork is a 

 fine gelatinous substance, which may easily be masti- 

 cated ; whilst the cracklin of the thin-skinned breeds 

 is roasted into good block tin, the reduction of which 

 would almost require teeth of iron. The western 

 porking breeds make handsome sides of delicate bacon 

 and superior hams for family use. The eastern pork 

 is, however, smaller, and perhaps apparently more 

 delicate, than that here described as in reality far 

 superior. The eastern are also the quickest feeders. 

 Devon pork has of late years come much into favour 

 in the metropolis, of which a constant weekly supply 

 may be found at a shop in the Strand, near the New 

 Church, where also a peculiar kind of delicate light- 

 coloured forest mutton is sold. 



BREEDING. 



The DURATION of LIFE in the swine is said by 

 naturalists to extend to twenty or thirty years, who 

 report that the BOAR continues to grow to the end of 

 the term. Swine are ready for procreation at the age 

 of seven months, but the male is unprofitable for that 

 purpose until twelve months old, and is in his prime 

 at two years. In other respects, the age of swine 

 is matter of small concern, since they are never kept 

 until they are old ; and it is the custom with many 

 breeders to slaughter even their most prolific sows 

 in the second year. The young sows to be preserved 

 for breeding, should be chosen with deep and capa- 

 cious bellies, the full number of teats, and of the 



