The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-26
REAL RAZORBACKS.
A HOMELY AND FERoclouS HOG ON
HIS NATIVE HEATH.


brother OF tho berkshire Brcod-His Ex-
istcnoo Measured by tho sulo OF "Root,
Hog, or Dle"--Iiog killing Parties.
Thoro is great difference in hogs
Tho form, contour md faoo of tho
rounded. sleek sided. short legged
Berks hiro and other hogs of high degree
do not much resemble tho angular, ra-
zor backed hog common throughout tho
south. Tho countenanco of tho we'll
bred, we'll cared for species Is chubby.
and contented looking, tho oars small,
the snout inclined to turn up rather
than down. His less fortunate cousin
has long, narrow face, immonse, flop
ping ears that hang disconsolately over
his eyes. and an elongated, pointed
ut,that seems providentially formed
to aid his earthly explorations. "Root,
hog, or die, is q common saying In
the country of which this hog is ma
stive, and the swine seem to realize the
situation. They have long legs and al
ways run with their shouts close TO the
ground. convenient for unearthing any
thing eatable which may como in their
way. They diligently root up the prom
ising morsel of food and gulp 1t down.
without stopping to enjoy it, and run
on apparently faster than ever, grunt-
ing rs they 80. i'll search of something
more-somo fayorite acorn or juicy bit
OF grass or berry root. upon whoh they
largely depend for bsistenoe.
Naturally the vast amount Of impor-
ativo exercise they take ranging through
tho woods cffcctually prevents their TAX
ing OIL much superhuous flesh, and the
hair on their narrow backs is ms rough
and coarse rs that Of the well bred hog
is smooth and glossy. Tho majority Of
them are OF dingy white color, por-
haps spotted with black. and when
white coated one, scantily covered with
hair. has palo eyes. bound around with
pink. and very light eyclashes, protrud-
ing beneath his dropping ears. he is rs
ugly living object as can DO imagined
The littlo pigs arc moderately pretty
when young. but not in the least like
the plump, little. chubby faced baby
Berkshire. and long before they have
arrived at the ago when they are called
"shotes" they have become ungainly
and common looking. Tho negroes havo
great faith i'll the ability of tho hog to
survive any amount of neglect and still
live to provide sausages and pork stow
for the winter season. At certain sea-
sons. when the "shotes" can do no dam
age TO tho maturing crops. it is ncoes-
sary to confino them until the fields are
bare once moro and will admit of their
ranging ut will.
In the course Of q walk once, a small
negro boy and girl were found seated
OH top Of the fenco which surrounded
pen. tlinging corn to two hogs within
the Enclosure. The rude feeding trough
was as dry as if no liquid had over
dampened it. and this on hot summer
afternoon Inquiry rs to when tho pris-
oners had last had water given them
elected no response from tho shy little
"shote minders +" After some inquiry
and explanation that the pigs would
like wator the boy consented to go to
the house, some distance off, for buck
et after bringing which tho children
went to the spring, III little hollow in
the woods behind tho pen. and procured
water for the thirsty creatures 1t is
needless to say that they drank it with
nvidity. This pen was in All open field,
with not n single bit of shade near. 1t
had belonged to an humble establish
nent. the house and barn of which had
been moved to some other tract of land,
and the owner of the hogs had utilized
the pen just where it was, the distance
from his dwelling, which was 'plenti-
fully supplied with we'll water, render
ing it most inconvonient to attend to
the wants of tho animals
The pen could easily havo been moved,
ns the fence around it was made of
movable rails placed zigzag fashion on
purpose that 1T might be changed from
place to place. but evidently tho COM
fort of the ''shotcs'' was not regarded as
of much Importance. Later, small,
Slim figure, Ill n scant, homespun dress,
faded and torn. suddenly emerged from
narrow path which opened upon tho
road. aud childish voice said timidly,
DO you want some headache blossom,
ma'ami" q little black hand holding
out a bunch of delicate pink flowers,
with perfume more powerful than sweet
The acceptance of this Offering seemed
to thaw out her reserve. and tho little
girl volunteered the information that
she and Yankee. her brother, "aimed
to dash water TO de hog cherry ebenin."
In the days of the old regime the
crops wero NIL fenced in, and the hogs,
and cattle ms well. wero allowed to roam
at will through the Businesses of tho
swamps and timbered tracts Often
times the animals wero not seen for
months. When the timo drew near for
hog killing. parties were made up to
drive" the swamp and capture tho
half wild creatures. as it was desired to
fatten them i'll pens before killing. 1t
OF mfr tl,1 ii,