Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-07-21
PlG-BREeDING IN SICILY.
Some Curious Statistics OF an Extensive
Industry.


TIE last British consular report from
Palermo contains some curiOus details re-
speeding the breeding OF pigs III Sicily,
which in certain districts. and especially
in mountainous parts. are reared IN great
numbers. Nearly all the small towns are
oyorrun with them. and they are not only
useful for food but act rs scavengcrs tothe
dirty streets. They are entlced IN towns 10
deyour the fithiest food by sprinEling bran
over II. In the mountainous districts,
where there are oak forests, they are driven
up t. the nigh regions TO feed on acorns.
4 good acorn year Is "a gOdsend 70 those
who possess oak forests. For each full
grown pig a. much "a los. Is paid for the
acorn season to the owner OF the forest ;
two medum-size pigs and three small ones
are admitted at the same rate.
The pigs. which are thus driven about
under the superintendent of boy SWINE
herds. are all ear-markcd and speedily be-
come accustomed 10 their new conditions
of liie. They form among themselves a
sort Of republican government. and are
dOcile TO the calls and winnings Ofthe horn
of Young guardians. who are clothed IN
very plain and primitive fashion, and live
simply on bread and water, taking ont with
them every day loavcs baked IN the ovens
Of the farm, and in shape precisely the
same as those that have been found IN the
bakers shops at POmpeii. The pigs are
driven back home at night and housed to
avoid disease. and. strange to say, Their
sheds are scrupulOusly clean. IL IS said
that they establish internally q kind of
sanitary jurisdiction. and that a pig which
il found delinquent against the sanitary
rules is attacked with fury by the rest and
killed.
Tie Consul has seen covered pig-sties
made of stone and capable Of holding SOC
or 400 pigs and found them dry and clean
and very dusty. The only value OF the pigs
consists III their being sold "a fresh pork
and for the making Of sausages. They fatten
well upon acorns. and their flesh is very
white and tasteful whereas the color OF
the pork IN the towns Is quite dark
The sausages which are made are
also very tolerable, but the curing
of pork for ham or bacon Is un
known in Sicily. Pigs in Sicily enjoy
rs much social distinction "a IN Ireland
they. with the poultry and other animals,
share their masters tenement and Will
trot after him daily 10 and fro on his way
10 his work in the fields. Perhaps pork u
more commonly eaten than any other kind
of meat IN the island. The boy swineherd;
and goatherds who tend the fOcks II
the mountains receive q daily pro
vision of bread cooked in the farm
buildings. and get nothing else IN win
Ter or summer, not even in the severes'
weather. and never, a a rule, even taste
pasta " or maccaroni. Besides the daily
provision OF bread they receive dole OF
35f. year, paid in three parts. out Of
which they find their clothes. A great
part of the year the lads sleep IN the opeI
AIR or III temporary straw nuts. often II
rainy and snowy weather, and with such 6
hard life and nothing but coarse bread
and water from years end 10 years END
their cheerfulness and good humor appear
quite marvellous. and many Of them are
bright. intelligent. lively lads and graceful
and courteous III their demeanor.