Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1896-10-31
REAL RAZORBACKS.
A HOMELY AND FEROCiOUS HOG ON
HIS NATIVE HEATH.

He Does Not Resemble His Pampered
Brother of the Berkshire Breed-His Ex-
istence Measured by the Rule of "Root,
Hog. or Die"-Hog Killing Parties.
There is a great difference in hogs.
The form, contour and face of the
rounded, sleek sided, short legged
Berkshire and other hogs of high degree
do not much resemble the angular, ra-
zor backed hog common throughout the
south The countenance of the well
bred, we'll cared for species is chubby
and contented looking, the ears small,
the snout inclined to turn up rather
than down His less fortunate cousin
has long, narrow face, immense, flop
ping ears that hang disconsolately over
his eyes. and an elongated, pointed
snout that seems providentially formed
to aid his earthly explorations. Root,
hog, or die, " is a common saying in
the country of which this hog is ma
tive, 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 come i'll their
way They diligently root up the prom
is,ng morsel of food and gulp it down,
without stopping to enjoy it, and run
on apparently faster than ever, grunt-
ing as they go, in search of something
more-some favorite acorn or juicy bit
of grass or berry root, upon which they
largely depend for subs istence.
Naturally the vast amount of imper-
alive exercise they take ranging through
the woods etfcctually prevents their tax
ing on much supertiuous flesh, and the
hair OF their narrow backs is as rough
and coarse as that of the we'll bred hog
Is smooth and glossy. The YDaiority of
them are of dingy white color, per-
hnps spotted with black and when
white coated one, scantily covered with
hair has pale eyes, bound around with
pink and very light eyelashes, protrud-
ing beneath his dropping ears, he is as
ugly living object as can be imagined
The little pigs are 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 age when they are called
'shotes' they have become ungainly
and common looking. The negroes have
great faith Ill the ability of tho hog to
survive any amount of neglect and still
live to provide sausages and pork stew
for the winter season. At certain sea
SONS, when the ''shotes'' can do no dam
age to the maturing crops, it is neces-
sary to contine them until the fields are
bare once more and will admit of their
ranging at will
In the course of walk once, small
negro boy and girl were found seated
on top of the fence which surrounded
pen, tllnging corn to two hogs within
the Enclosure. The rude feeding trough
was as dry as if no liquid had ever
dampened it, and this on a hot summer
afternoon. Inquiry as to when the pris-
oners had last had water given them
elected no response from the shy little
''shote minders. - After some inquiry
and explanation that the pigs would
like water the boy consented to go to
the house, some distance off, for a buck
et after bringing which the children
went to the spring, in a little hollow in
the woods behind the pen, and procured
water for the thirsty creatures. 1t is
needless to say that they drank it with
avidity This pen was in an open field,
with not single bit of shade near. 1t
had belonged to an humble establish
ment, 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 inConvenient to attend to
the wants of the animals.
The pen could easily have been moved,
as the fence around it was made Of
movable rails placed zigzag fashion on
purpose that it might be changed from
place to place, but evidently the COM
fort of the 'shotes' was not regarded as
of much Importance. Later, small,
slim figure, in a scant, homespun dress,
faded and torn, suddenly emerged from
a narrow path which opened upon the
road, and childish voice said timidly,
"Do you want some headache blossom,
ma amp little black hand holding
out bunch of delicate pink flowers,
with perfume moro powerful than sweet
The acceptance of this Offering seemed
to thaw out her reserve, and the 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 were all fenced in, and the hogs,
and cattle as well, were allowed to roam
at will through the Businesses of the
swamps and numbered tracts Often
times the animals were not seen for
months. When the time drew near for
hog killing, parties were made up to
drive the swamp and capture the
half wild creatures, as it was desired to
tatten them in pens before killing 1t
was not lnfrequontly the case that the
swine became quite ferocious, having
been left so long at large and the hunt
ers found themselves in the midst of a
wild boar" hunt in earnest, which
they hugely enjoyed. Most of the farm
ers of the southern states now leave their