The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1872-05-17

1 would caution the reader against
being led away by mere name in bis
selection of hog. A hog may be
called q Berkshire or Suffolk, or any
other breed most in estimation, and yet
may in reality possess none OF this
valuable blood. The only sure mode
By which the buyer viii be able to avoid
imposition is, to make name always
secondary to points. If you find hog
possessed of such points of form as are
calculated TO eusua early maturity and
facility of taking flesh, you need care
little what it has seemed good to the
seller to call him; and remember that
no name can bestow value upon an an
imal deficient in the qualities to which
1 have alluded. The true Berkshire
that possessing dash of the Chinese
and Eeapoiitan varieties-comes per-
haps nearer to the desired standard
than any otGer. The chief points which
charncterize such hog are the follow
ing: In the first place, sufficient deptn
of carcass, and suCn an elongatiOn of
body as will ensure sufficient lateral
expansion. Let the loin and breast
be broad. The breadth of the former
denotes good room for the play of the
lungs, ard a consequent free and
healthy circulation, essential to the
thriving or fattening of any animal
The bone should be small and the joints
fine-nOlhing is more indicative of
high breeding than this /; and the legs
should be no longer than, when fully
fat, would just prevent the animals
belly from trailing upon the ground.
The leg is the least profitable portion of
the hog, and We require no more OF it
than is absolutely necessary for the
support ofthe rest. See that the feet be
firm and sound, that the toes lie to-
gether, and press straightly upon the
ground; as, also, that the claws are
even, upright and healthy. Many say
that the former is of little or no con-
sequence, and tina. a good hog may
have an ugly head; but L regard the
head of ali animals as one of the Very
principal points in which pure or inn
pure breeding will be the most OBJ
viously indicated. A high bred animal
will invariably be found to arrive more
speedily at maturity, to take flesh
earlier and with greater facility, and,
altogether, to turn out more profitably
than one Of questionable or impure
stock; and, such being the case, con-
slider that the head of the hog is, by
no meaus, q point to be overlooked 10y
the purchaser. The description of head
most likely to promise, or rather con-
comitant Of high breeding, is one not
carrying heavy bone, not too flat on
the forehead, or possessing u too
elongated snout-the snout should be
short, and the forehead rather con-
vex, curving upwards; and the ear
should be, while pendulOus, inclining
somewhat forward, and ar the same
time light and thin. Nor should the
buyer pass over even the carriage Of
pig. Ii this be dull, heavy and de
iected, reject him, on suspicion of il
health, ii not of some concealed dis
order actually existing, or about to
break forth; and there cannot be a
more unfavorable symptom than q
hung down, slouchirg head. OF course,
a fat hog for slaughter, or SOW heavy
with young, have not much sprightli-
ness of department.
Nor is cDlcr altogether to be lost sight
of. In the case Of hogs, would prefer
those colors which are characteristic of
our most esteemed breeds. If the hair
be scant, would look for black, as de-
noting connection with the Neapolitan;
but it too bare of hair, would be dis
posed to apprehend too intimate alli-
ance with that variety. and conse-
quent want of hardihood, that, how
ever upimportant if pork be the object,
renders such animals hazardous speeu-
lations as stores, from their extreme
susceptibility of cold, and consequent
liability to disease. If white, and not
too small, would like them, es ex-
hibi,ing connection with the Chinese.
If light or sandy, or red, with black
marks, would recognize our favorite
Berkshire; and so on With reference to
every possible variety of hue. These
observations may appear trivial, but
they are the most important l have
yet made, and the pig buyer will find
his account in attending to them
Rurdi Yard.