FARM ANIMALS 231 



The Berkshire originated in England from a 

 mixture of native and imported breeds. The 

 original color was reddish with black spots, but 

 at present the color is black with white spots 

 like the Poland China. The face is similar to 

 the Poland China, but the ears are short and 

 erect and the neck exceedingly short. The bone 

 of the legs is fairly strong, but not equal to that 

 of the Poland China. In size also they are some- 

 what inferior to the latter, boars weighing about 

 four hundred and fifty pounds and sows four hun- 

 dred pounds at two years of age. The weak points 

 of the Berkshire are not serious, but it has suffered 

 somewhat from being forced too much in feeding 

 so that its fertility is somewhat diminished. 



The Hampshire or Thin-Rind, also known in 

 its earlier history in this country as the McKay 

 or Belt breed, came from the Hampshire region 

 of England and then through Canada into New 

 York, Kentucky and the corn belt. The color 

 is black with the exception of a white belt, which 

 encircles the body around the shoulders, including 

 the fore legs. It is a prolific breed, the sows are 

 good mothers, they are excellent rustlers with 

 good, strong legs. The Hampshire matures early 

 and it is claimed for the breed that the weight 

 is chiefly distributed in the better cuts of meat. 



The Essex also comes from England and was 

 introduced into the United States about 1850. 

 At maturity this pig may weigh six hundred 

 pounds and the breed matures very early. The 

 quality of the meat is good and the Essex is a 

 desirable hog for crossing on other breeds. The 

 color is black, the face small and broad, the 

 ears erect, but drooping with age, and the hair 

 fine and very free from bristles. 



