414 Growth and Devdopmetit of Breeds and Crosses of Pigs 



Wellmann (65) has published results of comparative carcase tests made 

 with the Lincoln and Manpalicza breeds and the crosses between them. 

 He found that the live weight and carcase percentage of the cross-breds 

 at 14 montLs was higher than that of Mangalicza's at 26 months old. 



Table XIV. Rate of maturity in live weight of cross-bred pigs — as 

 percentage of weight at 11 months old. 



Selection. In order to study the progress made by breeders in altering 

 the weights of pigs the records of the Show have been grouped in periods 

 — the first froTn 1901 to 1906 both inclusive and the second from 1907 to 

 1913 both inclusive. The differences between the average weights of the 

 two periods (Table XVII) would show the progress made. 



Whenever the numbers exhibited are sufficient to be reliable they 

 show an increase in weight. In one or two cases, as at the younger ages 

 of 5 and 7 months, there has been a decrease but the numbers from which 

 the results have been calculated are small. 



The Large Black has shown the most notable increase in weight 

 (Fig. 5) and it will be seen that the distribution curve has been shifted 

 forward. This breed at 11 months old has made an average increase of 

 70 lbs. between the two periods; the Large White follows next with a 

 rise of 50 lbs., the Middle Wliite with 30 lbs. increase and lastly the 

 Berkshire with about 5 lbs. increase. Whether this effect is due to further 

 fattening or is actual growth in meat it is difficult to say as no figures 

 are available to give an estimate of the state of fatness of the pigs shown. 

 However, as the increase is only at 9 and 11 months and not at 5 or 

 7 months there is a strong indication that it is due to state of fatness. 



In the Carcase Classes the Berkshire is the only breed which has been 

 exhibited in sufficient numbers to make a comparison between the two 

 periods po.ssible and the data for this breed is shown in Table XVIII. 

 At all ages, with the exception of 9 months old there has been a decrease 

 in the carcase percentage and an increase in the proportion of the 



