418 THE BREEDS OF LIVE-STOCK 



breeders are maintaining both size and quality, and the 

 future of the breed is no doubt safe in their hands. In 

 Canada, owing to the demands of the market for bacon 

 hogs, and owing to the competition of strictly bacon breeds, 

 the tendency on the part of the best Berkshire breeders 

 has been to select for a lengthy, strong-boned type, which, 

 compared with the American type, looks somewhat leggy 

 and coarse, but which, in reality, is a first-class farmer's 

 hog. A good deal is heard at present about the so-called 

 Large English Berkshire. The Large English Berkshire 

 is no different in breeding from the ordinary Berkshire, 

 but in England, as in any other country, the Berkshire 

 will be found to vary more or less in type, and some im- 

 porters select the larger, stronger-boned animals for im- 

 portation to America, and call them Large English Berk- 

 shires. As a matter of fact, they may be litter mates of 

 animals of the very finest-boned type. 



506. Uses of Berkshire hogs. The Berkshire is better 

 suited for supplying the market demand for fat hogs than 

 it is for producing bacon hogs. When backs, shoulders 

 and hams are the main requirements, the Berkshire fits in 

 exceptionally well; but for the export bacon trade in 

 what are known as " Wiltshire sides," the Berkshire has 

 scarcely enough length of side, and has too heavy a neck 

 and shoulder, because the neck and shoulder furnish cuts 

 which are low in price and difficult to sell in connection 

 with a " Wiltshire side." When crossed with the Large 

 Yorkshire or Tarn worth, an excellent farmer's hog is the 

 result, although it is perhaps a little nearer to the bacon 

 type than to the fat type. Berkshires have made an 

 exceptionally good showing in the market classes at lead- 

 ing American shows, where they come into competition 

 with other breeds. 



