The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-11-21
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UW1oOs
Some time since We were requested BY val.
1ed correspondent to cay something about the
different breeds Of swine, and if there was really
- much difference in breeds - some advertise
ments would seem to indicate. Distinct breeds
Of swine are not 20 numerous but what We can
learn all about the most prominent, Or those o.
teemed At the West.
THE BERKsHIRE-Is . medium.sizsd, black
hog, with white feet, and strip Of white in the
forehead They are hardy, and With ordin,ry
pasturage and shack, can be made to weigh 800
pounds at eighteen months old. They furnish
superior hams, but are deficient in inside fat 90.
cording to size. Their ribs spring out veil from
the body, hence they lsok heavier than they are,
and had better be sold alive than dressed.
The SUFFOLK isl a small, white breed, of
very quiet and peaceful disposition, with great
tendency to fat A real door-yard pig. Will
fatten on less corn than any other breed we know
Of. But he will not labor or root for living Il
always ready for the knife, but furnishes less
lean meat. especially in the ham, than any
other breed, but greater amount of fat to the
gress weight also. Has thin hair which is
against him. >r i-i ..f .tre.-.r.r
CHESTER WHITES, the most desirable breed of
the present day. Color white frame, large and
rangy, with aptnsss to fatten young, and yet at
tanning great size when kept to the age of eight
cen months or two years. The breed has become
we'll established, and retains its characteristics
well. They are held at high prices; and for
breeding purpsses are we'll worth the money: and
every one raising hogs to any extent, ought to
have at least one pair Of pure Chester Whites.
The YORKSHIRE is another large breed Of
white hogs; attain great size, and are thought to
be profitable. We have never bred then, but
have known them for years, and it is our spin-
ion that they grow so fast when young, that they
do not fatten early. To any enc who can afford
to keep swine for twenty months or two wears
they will make good returns ss they grow very
large Many Of them very thin-haired, which
counts against them as all the breeds not we'll
supplied with hair, are apt to have their hides
crack and become sore.
ESSEX. We believe that this name is claimed
both fer black and white bresd-we know
only the latter. They rather larger than the
Suffolks, but very much of the same character,
as to disposition and aptness to fatten, yielding
not quite as much lard as the latter according TO
bulk. They are better coated with hair, hardy !;
and more willing TO rost for living. We con
slider them valuable breed to grow-they ma
ture early.
GENERAL REMAAEs-In many breeds of swine
there is disposition to mate young This should
never be left TO chance, especially il there is
desire to keep certain animals for breeding pur-
poses. They may be mated at from eight to ten
months cd, The tine of CESSATION in a SOW il.
sixteen wseks.-If You desire to have pigs bv
April lst--:l< best tia. in The uh<le year-allcw
the male the LIST of December The next best
time is to have pigs come in harvest, especially If
your fields are SO situated as to allow cleaning by
the pigs sitter harvest. Pigs of tho Suffolk md
Essex, dropped April LIST, can be made to weigh
700 pounds by Christmas following, by ordinsry
good feeding.
Hard corn fed in the ear is not good for yexng
hogs, nor is pure corn meal lush cooked, from
one part meal to two parts mill feed, mixed with
sour or skim milk, is the best foc pigs, with a
vegetable diet of beiled punpkius squashes or
potatoes When SIX months old. they may be
made to eat more OF corn, and less of mill feed
Old corn tattens faster than new, and makes more
solid pork. Meat made from shack or nuts, is apt
to be oily apa soft unless it is followed up by
four weeks Of feeding on hard, old corn.--Co-
mans Rttrul World