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Tamworth Boar circa 1914
The
Tamworth is probably the purest of the modern breeds of swine, it
having been improved more largely by selection and care than by the
introduction of the blood of other breeds.
One historian claims that the foundation stock was introduced into England from Ireland by Sir Robert Peel about 1815, but others speak of it being plentiful in the Midland counties of England previous to that date. Sir Robert Peel is said to have maintained a herd of this sort near the town of Tamworth (from whence the breed takes its name), in South Staffordshire, until the time of his death, in 1850. During a long period the breed was little seen outside of the counties of Leicestershire, Staffordshire and Northhamptonshire. It was at that time a dark red and grisly animal that was able to thrive on pasture during the summer and beachnuts and acorns found in the forests, during the fall and early winter. The original stock was long in limb, long and thin in the snout and head, and flat in the rib. The pigs were active, hardy, good grazers and very prolific, but were slow in maturing. Being rather spare in body they carried very little fat, and when fatted and slaughtered they are said to have produced a large proportion of flesh.
One historian claims that the foundation stock was introduced into England from Ireland by Sir Robert Peel about 1815, but others speak of it being plentiful in the Midland counties of England previous to that date. Sir Robert Peel is said to have maintained a herd of this sort near the town of Tamworth (from whence the breed takes its name), in South Staffordshire, until the time of his death, in 1850. During a long period the breed was little seen outside of the counties of Leicestershire, Staffordshire and Northhamptonshire. It was at that time a dark red and grisly animal that was able to thrive on pasture during the summer and beachnuts and acorns found in the forests, during the fall and early winter. The original stock was long in limb, long and thin in the snout and head, and flat in the rib. The pigs were active, hardy, good grazers and very prolific, but were slow in maturing. Being rather spare in body they carried very little fat, and when fatted and slaughtered they are said to have produced a large proportion of flesh.
Tamworth Sow circa 1914
In
later times, after the country had become enclosed and the land began
to be brought under cultivation, a quieter pig, with a greater
disposition to fatten was desired. In the effort to produce such an
animal, crosses of pigs having a strong infusion of Neapolitan blood
were introduced. It is also said that a few breeders used a white pig
that had been improved by Bakewell. The result of the mixture was a
black, white and sandy pig. In the hands of of breeders in certain
districts of Staffordshire all but the the red or sandy colors were bred
out, and pains were taken by selection to increase the feeding
qualities of their pigs, and by the middle of the last century a very
desirable class of pig had been evolved. It is claimed on good authority
that a sow of the Tamworth breed won first prize at the northampton
show in 1847 in a class which included Berkshire, Essex, and other
improved breeds.
Fortunately the class of men who had undertaken the improvement of some of the other breeds, by sacrificing almost everything to an aptitude to fatten, did not undertake the Tamworth, hence the preservation of the length and prolificacy of the breed. Improvement was accomplished by reducing the length of limb, increasing the depth of body, and improving the feeding qualities of the animals.
Fortunately the class of men who had undertaken the improvement of some of the other breeds, by sacrificing almost everything to an aptitude to fatten, did not undertake the Tamworth, hence the preservation of the length and prolificacy of the breed. Improvement was accomplished by reducing the length of limb, increasing the depth of body, and improving the feeding qualities of the animals.
Tamworth Barrow circa 1914
For
a number of years previous to 1870 the breed received comparatively
little attention outside its own home. About that time the bacon curers
opened a campaign against the then fashionable, short, fat and heavy
shouldered pigs, which they found quite unsuitable for the production of
streaked side meat for which the demand was constantly increasing. The
Tamworth then came into prominence as an improver of some of the other
breeds, in which capacity it was a decided success owing to its long
established habit of converting its food into lean meat. This breed at
once assumed an important place among the best sorts in Britain. The
Tamworths were given a separate classification at the Royal and other
British shows about 1885. In general outline they are long, smooth and
fairly deep, having a moderatly light fore end and deep ham; their
carriage is easy and active on strong, straight legs. In color the
Tamworth is golden red, on flesh-colored skin, free from black spots.
The Tamworth belongs to the large breeds, reaching weights almost equal to the Yorkshire. Mature boars in show condition should weigh from 650 to upwards of 700 pounds, and the sows about 600 to 650 pounds. Sows and barrows that are wisely and well reared are ready for the packers at about 7 months of age, weighing from 180 to 200 pounds.
The points of excellence for the Tamworth, as in the case of the improved Yorkshire, should conform as nearly as possible to the requirements of the bacon trade, without overlooking constitutional vigor and easy feeding qualities. - J. B Spencer B.S.A., July 1914
The Tamworth belongs to the large breeds, reaching weights almost equal to the Yorkshire. Mature boars in show condition should weigh from 650 to upwards of 700 pounds, and the sows about 600 to 650 pounds. Sows and barrows that are wisely and well reared are ready for the packers at about 7 months of age, weighing from 180 to 200 pounds.
The points of excellence for the Tamworth, as in the case of the improved Yorkshire, should conform as nearly as possible to the requirements of the bacon trade, without overlooking constitutional vigor and easy feeding qualities. - J. B Spencer B.S.A., July 1914
Posted by David
@ 08:37 AM EST
