FARM ANIMALS 229 



to be superior to pure breeds in the economy 

 with which feed is utilized. Thus, in Kansas, 

 crosses between the Poland China and Duroc 

 Jersey, Berkshire, and Tamworth produced a 

 pound of gain on less grain than pure bred Poland 

 China, Duroc Jersey or Berkshire. 



The dressed weight of the different breeds 

 varies somewhat, but does not differ uniformly 

 with the breed. In one series of experiments on 

 this point the dressed weight was highest in the 

 Poland China, being eighty-three and five-tenths 

 per cent, and also lowest in poor specimens of the 

 same breed. The dressed weight of the Berkshire 

 was eighty-two and nine-tenths per cent., Duroc 

 Jersey eighty-two per cent, and Tamworth eighty- 

 one per cent. The weight of the hams in the 

 same test varied from thirty-four pounds in the 

 Poland China to ten pounds in small Duroc 

 Jerseys with an average of twenty-five pounds 

 in all breeds tested. The Berkshire usually 

 shows more lean and less fat than the Poland 

 China in the development of the hams and shoul- 

 ders. 



Some difference of opinion prevails regarding 

 the value of runts. Unfavorable results with 

 runts are sometimes due to not giving them a 

 chance, it being taken for granted that they are 

 not worth wasting feed upon. It occasionally 

 happens that runt pigs can be bought for a very 

 low price and when well-cared for and fed suitable 

 rations they make profitable returns. In one 

 test with runt pigs in Kansas one hundred pounds 

 of gain were made on every three hundred and 

 thirty pounds of grain consumed and this result 

 is equal to or better than the result obtained in 

 ordinary pig feeding. 



