The progressive farmer and southern farm gazette., April 09, 1910, HOG SPECIAL, Image 1

About The progressive farmer and southern farm gazette. (Starkville, Miss.) 1910-1920

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HOG SPECIAL
Farm and Home Weekly for the States of Mississippi,
Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Tennessee*
FOUNDED. 1895, BY DR. TAIT BUTLER. AT STARKVILLE, MISS.
Volume XV. No. 14 SATURDAY. APRIL 9. 1910 Weekly: SI a Year.
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THE BEST BREED OF HOGS I
117E are often asked, “What breed of hogs would you advise
me to get?”, or “What is the best breed of hogs? ’, or some
similar question.
To all such inquiries we are compelled to make substantially
one answer: “There is no best breed of hogs While some breeds
are better adapted to certain conditions than others, any of the
leading breeds will give good results when properly cared for.”
The best breed for any man is the breed he likes best—the one
that looks best to him, to the breeding of which he can bring the
most enthusiasm, and from which he can get the most satisfaction.
We are giving here illustrations of two of the most popular
breeds in the South, and we hope to get photographs of other lead
ing breeds for an early issue.
Considering the great interest taken in hog raising just now,
and the unfamiliarity of many farmers with the characteristics,
of the different breeds, a little information along these lines may
be of value.
1 he black hogs best known in the South are the Berkshire, the
Poland China and the Essex. The Berkshire is a medium to
large breed, weighing at maturity from 400 to 600, or even $0Q
pounds. They have erect ears, dished face, and white “points ”
when perfectly marked—that is, the feet, the tip of the tail and the
nose are white. They are hardy, prolific, good rustlers, mature
early and are noted for uniformity of type and coloring. They
/iMMiuiiiy yuiicN I ess rcaauy man tot anu ^runas or e.nesrer wnttes out are oetler grazers ana more active, and make meat of /^e
finest quality. 7 hey are generally classeil with the bacon" breeds.
/ he Poland China is more distinctly of the lard type, is slightly larger, more comnactly baild, fattens, as a rule, more readily
and at an earlier age Poland Chinas have drooping ears, white pointi, great depth of body, and are a splendid type of the feeding
animal. They are prime favorites in the Corn Belt.
I he Essex is a smaller breed fattening early and of the purely lard type.
In red hogs the Duroc-Jersey —called also Jersey Red. Red D.iroc, etc—represents the early maturing, lard producing type,
while the Tamworth is the tm •st representative we have of the bacon type.
The Tamworth is one of the larg •st breeds, weighing often 1,000 to 1,500 pounds. They are long-bodied, slab-sided, long
legged, long-snouted, are not easily fattened but make bacon of the finest quality. They are rioted for prolificacy, 12 to 16 pigs at a
htter being common. arc hardy and well adapted to grazing.
The Dttroc Jer sey is much more p ipular in the South. In color they should he a bright cherry red, and much resemble the Poland
China in size and general make-up, though a little more rangy."__
I hey are prolific, hardy, gentle and excellent feeders.
The Chester White (>. 1 C is a large while hog, with droop
ing cars, often curly coat, and blacky, compact form. They are
slightly larger than the Poland China, and one of the best of the
lartl breeds.
l arge > arkshires resemble the Ilerkshires in contour and type,
but are larger, rangier and pure white in color. They are classed
with the bacon bn ids. and often attain a weight of 1,000 pounds
or more. They do not fatten as reality as the lard breeds, but pro
duce bacon of fine t/uality.
The Hampshire, or Thin-Rind is a black hog with a white belt
an,and its body; unit the Mule Foot is distinguished by its solid
hoof.
1 he man who wishes to go into the business of breeding hogs
should seliet the hog that suits him best and then do all in his
power ti) build up his strain to the highest possible degree of ex
ccllencc, keeping it at all times true to type and rigidly dis
eanling any inf erior specimens. To the man who is willing to do
this and who has a natural adaptability to the work, no branch of
the live stock industry promises greater or more speedy returns.
I he selection of the breed is a matter of individual preference ;
but the selection of gomi types of any breed and good care after
the hogs have been obtained are absolutely necessary to success.
POLAND ( HINA HOAR
Owned by E. S. Wrijfht, Sykes, Tenn.