Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-04-25

An unusual interest Is being eNlueNSeA
throughout the south in the Tamworth
tog. which is a comparatively new breed
n tins section Of the colntry- A short
article concerning this breed has there
lore been prepared and il is hoped II
ain give some data OF interest 10 those
desiring 10 know more about this partc-
nlar breed
The Tamworth hog is native OF Great
Britain. originating in a group OF eoun-
hes in what may be termed Central Eng
and. This i a regio with rolling land
tcapes ana with a temperate but moist
climate. Like practically all Of the
treeds of domestic animals which have
an ancient origin that Of the Tamworth
s shrouded in mystery 1t is stated by
some OF England's best live stock author
kIes. that this hog fed on the mast OF
the oak and beech forests AT period
lntedating the battle Of Waterloo. by
some IL is even contended that the breed
Nas introduced INTO England from Ire
land. but there is not much evidence 10
support this statement
The earlier type OF Tamworth was
onger of leg and snout and narrower and
fhallower OF body than those Of today.
and naturally they did not mature SO
fapidly The same sandy or reddish col
y characterized them at an early date
The Improvement OF the Tamworth breed
aates from the development OF intensive
iarming in GTeag Britain and the conse-
anent necessity OF so improving the
kreed as 10 give il those qualities which
kave caused Il TO advance rapidly In
public estimation. As early as lS4s
ramworth SOW won first -honors at the
Royal show but il was not recognised
o. the ROYAL Agricultural society until
ssS5 It's deveopmenf has been peculiarly
rapid during the last few years because
~ the demand for a high-class bacon
hog. It's introduction into America Is
comparatively recent. dating about lSs2
II Is said 10 have been introduced into
ranada about lSSS but its spread in that
country has been very rapid and has had
much to do with developing the great
bacon industry which has made that
fountry famous.
The general characteristics of the Tam
exorths ere as follows: The color is from
tight 10 dark red In form typical ami
malls large. lean. and long in the head.
body and legs. The snout i unusually
long and the face bur little dished- The
Ears are large erect. and leaning slightly
forward. but do not break over as in the
P0land-China. The back IS relatively
harrow and long; the sides unusually
long and deep. While the shoulders are
uen placed they are not thick as in the
lard type OF hog. and the hams as COM
pared with those OF 1he Poland China
would represent lean type. The strong
point Of this breed is its great length
and breadth OF side and fine intermix-
fure OF the fat and lean which have given
5 its high standing as a bacon animal
Il Is also noted for its dOcility Of tenn
kerament. and yet i is an active breed.
making il unusually well adapted for
nrazfnr purposes. and K is this peculiar
nma1fty which IS attracting public atten-
zion to a. particularly in the south
where IL has been demonstrated over and
aver again that the cheapest and best
nuaITty Of pork can be made on grazing
crops. and that where animals are so
maintained the danger from cholera and
ether diseases Is reduced 20 minimum
- TO size the Tamworth is relative
large. mature bears weighing fully 90
hounds and sows. 80 pounds. Pigs that
are forced may Be made 10 weigh 10
mounds at six months In maturing quail
ties his breed would BE ranked a fair
a. compared with some OF the American
breeds. though the growth and develop
ment is uniform from the birth period
forward. and Ike any other breed OF
hogs. more flesh and Fat win be laid on
khere liberal feeding prevails
In feeding qualities the Tamworths
compare very well with many OF the
standard breeds. and also in the per cent
81 dressed meat which the carcass viii
turn out There are peculiarly valuable
70 the south because of their adaptabili-
~ for grazing purposes. their relative
hardihood the ease with which they be-
come acclimated. and the fact that they
may be made to gather a good portion
~ their own living and make a large
development with a relative small outlay
Of corn. They are also a prolific breed.
unusually 50. soWs frequently narrowing
from Il to Is pigs. and where they are
well fed and given close attention two
utters q year may he secured with a
fair degree OF regularity IN other
words a good TamwoFth SOW may far
~ow and carry beyond tie weaving pc
ROD % pigs per annum. Pigs from pure
breds will now readily command $3.50
apiece one can thus see the fine reve-
nue. which may be derived from the sys-
tematic development Of this breed. There
= a tendency 10 believe that cotton pro-
auction viii ALWAYS nay the largest
profit but good r. n sow. which