1306 STOCK-RAISING : ORGAXISATIOX AXD ICNCOT^RAGRMEXT 



cheron, and havS stood the test in all attempts at breeding specialised races, 

 without however succeeding in imposing its type on the farm horse, because 

 it is a type too specialised in the direction of the heavj' draught horse, and 

 the first breeders, who were unable to discern the requirements of intensive 

 feeding in the foals of this breed, had some failures, because the Clydesdale 

 was produced for a single purpose onh', and it should either be a heavy 

 draught horse or not exist. The Shire race also had similar failures at the 

 outset. 



Nevertheless, when breeders had mastered the breeding methods 

 enabling the desired type to be secured with certainty, utilising the ex- 

 perience gained with the Percheron, they decided to repeat the trial with the 

 Clydesdale, the Shire and the Belgian horses, with ultimate success. The 

 Belgian horse was the last to breed out, and in fact has only done so during 

 the last five years, when, from the point of view of export, it gained such 

 importance as to play a part in horse-breeding in America, but its rapid 

 spread in the corn belt and the enthusiasm with which it was received there 

 render it clear that the only limit to its further spread lies in the number of 

 available sires. 



As regards the individual qualities of these breeds, the Shire undoubt- 

 edl}' possesses the maximum pulling energy per individual, while the Cly- 

 desdale is more perfect in its outhnes and action, endowed with longer life 

 and less subject to disease ; the Belgian offers a special resistance to con- 

 tinuous daily work, though it is not so active as its English rivals; the Per- 

 cheron finalh' is the best adapted for crossing with the American working 

 horse. 



Pigs. — An evolution similar to that undergone by cattle and horse 

 breeding is also observable in pig breeding. The Berkshire played the part 

 of the Shorthorn. In Canada and the Middle Atlantic States it is the pre- 

 eminent meat producer. Along the Pacific coast and in South atid Eastern 

 America it represents almost exclusively the improved breed imported from 

 the West. In New England it rivals the Chester White in popularity, while 

 in the corn belt it is run close by the Poland China and the Duroc Jersey. 



These last two breeds form the dominant element in the region which 

 specialises in pig-breeding. The PoJand China was not slow in establishing 

 its claims owing to its early maturity, fattening qualities and possibility 

 of profit on an economic basis. It had a close rival in the shape of the Du- 

 roc Jersey, which is superior to it in fertility, adaptation to pasturage and 

 general hardiness. The two breeds have made progress partly owing to 

 the absolute contrast between them, and tendencies to obtain the extreme 

 forms of each type, which extreme forms are termed " hot bloods " and 

 " cold bloods ". From the point of view of adaptation, the Chester White 

 was able to spread to advantage in some regions of the United States, and 

 the principal quality of the Hampshire breed as regards meat production 

 may in the future .secure this race a greater popularity. The Yorkshire 

 and Tamworth breeds, which are good for bacon production, are more rarely 

 met with, and the localities where they have ada])ted themselves are 

 less frequent, their merit being nevertheless genuine and easily obser\-ed in 



