Practical papers —Essex iiog. 
33 1 
all he had made by his first success. The result was, that at the 
death of Lord Weston, his hogs had so depreciated in size of bone 
and body that they were on!} 7 valuable to cross on the large breeds 
of the country, for which they were highly prized. After the 
death of Lord Weston, it was left for the late Fisher Ilobbs, one of 
his tenants to bring, by judicious breeding and selections, the 
present improved Essex to its now state of perfection, so that 
to-day, the name of Fisher Hobbs stands with that of Booth, Bates 
and Bakewell as public benefactors. The improved Essex are in 
color black, in no case spotted or with white hairs. Their hair is 
soft, fine and rather thin; head short, with heavy jowl; ears wide 
set, and standing erect when young, but as they advance in age 
and become matured, they incline forward; body of medium 
length, chest round and deep, back straight and wide, with 
ham large and round; legs short in all cases, and well set under 
them. For beauty and symmetry of form, the Essex have no 
superiors, but the crowning excellence of this breed is their value 
to cross on the coarse breeds and common hogs of the country. I 
think that I am warranted in making the assertion that no other 
breed possesses such power in transmitting their fattening qualities 
and form to their offspring—and here let me add, that pigs raised 
from common coarse sows, crossed with a thoroughbred Essex boar, 
are preferable to the pure breed for fattening purposes. They not 
only possess the fattening qualities of the sire, but the more vigor¬ 
ous and hardy constitution of the sow. 
All improved breeds have been made such by careful breeding 
and selections, with good feed and proper care. All unimproved 
breeds are such from negligence and want of proper care and feed. 
This kind of treatment has given a heavy, coarse covering of hair, 
long, lank, uncomely bodies, but a vigorous, hardy constitution, 
with a tenacity of life that they will, with much reluctance, sur¬ 
render to the knife of the butcher. Ho well bred pig, that has had 
the advantages and blessings of a Christian civilization, in care 
and treatment, can withstand poor feed and want of protection 
from storms, as well as the poor scalawags that have become inured 
to it for generations. 
The improved Essex hog is usually classed among the small 
breeds, but an eminent writer on the hog says, they may properly 
