Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/503

Rh  breeds which amply repay the expence of fattening them.

1. The Berkshire hog is spotted red and brown, attains a large size, has small ears, short legs, and very broad sides. They are highly valued; but, as they grow uncommonly large, no person should attempt to keep them, unless he be provided with a sufficient stock of food; as otherwise they will dwindle away, become diseased, and yield less profit than a smaller kind.

2. The Shropshire swine grow to a large size: they are generally white, have short legs, and long ears, which hang down upon their cheeks. This is a fine breed, much prized at Barnet-market, and bears a close resemblance to

3. The Northampton hogs, which are white, have very short legs, and attain an extraordinary size, especially those reared at Naseby. They are chiefly distinguished by their ears, which are of an enormous size, much larger than those of the preceding breed, and sweep along the ground, so as almost to blind them.

4. The breed (which is one of the most profitable kinds of hogs introduced into this country) is very hardy; will live on less food than any of the animals already mentioned; and seldom appears lean. They are mostly white, attain to a huge size, and will fatten well on food that would barely keep other hogs.—To these maybe added the Suffolk breed, which, in the estimation of some persons, is the best in England; and the Leicester, which is much fatter than that of Suffolk, but is said to produce very few pigs.

As many frauds are practised at markets and fairs, on the unsuspecting farmer or cottager, in the act of buying or selling hogs, we shall briefly communicate a few hints, that may furnish some rules for guarding against imposition.

In purchasing lean hogs, the most certain method is to judge by weight. If, therefore, a farmer were to weigh a few lean pigs which are about the size of those he intends to purchase, he would obtain some standard on which to proceed, and will consequently be able to bid a fair price in the market.

With respect to fat hogs, it has been proved from repeated experiments, that every 20lbs. live weight will yield, when killed, from 12 to 14 nett weight. In those which do not exceed 12 stone (14lbs. to the stone), the weight will be 12lb.; but, in larger animals, it will in general amount to about 14 lb. If, therefore, a farmer weigh them alive, he will not only know the clear profitable weight when killed, and consequently its value, but he will also, by weighing the animal every week, be able to ascertain the proper time to slaughter, or dispose of it to the best advantage; for, when the hog ceases to acquire that daily increase which renders it profitable, the best course that can be followed is, to kill him immediately.  . See Common or Sea.  HOGS-HEAD, in Commerce, a measure of capacity which contains 63 gallons.  . See.  HOLLY, or Hex, L. a genus of shrubs consisting of 16 species; one of which is a native of Britain, namely, the aquifolium, or Common Holly-tree: it grows in woods or hedges, and produces small