362 PIGS 



its numbers are so reduced that, like the Small Black, it is 

 doomed to extinction. 



The Middle White is the big-jowled and often uncouth 

 product derived from crossing the large and the small 

 Yorkshire breeds. As might have been expected, in 

 accordance with the general laws and principles of breeding, 

 the small and so-called improved breed has stamped its 

 likeness more distinctly on the produce of the cross than the 

 large and less-refined Yorkshire. The Middle breed is 

 little more than a large variety of the Small White, being 

 only slightly modified in form through its relationship with 

 the larger animal. Theoretically, it ought to combine the 

 good qualities of the two distinct breeds, but as yet the want 

 of uniformity of type and the uncertainty as to the character 

 of its progeny are not fully overcome. 



The recent changes of fashion in the market have been 

 rather in favour of those qualities which are produced in the 

 most perfect form by the Large Black, the Large White, and 

 the Tamworth breeds as against the quality for which the 

 small breed is prized, viz., that of producing at a rapid rate 

 quantities of over- fat meat. 



Sanders Spencer describes and compares the three 

 breeds as follows : 



" The Large White should have a good coat of straight 

 white hair of fine quality, and a white skin, with sometimes 

 a blue spot or two. This last characteristic is being bred 

 out by those who have a connection with the foreign trade. 

 The foreigner looks upon it as an indication of cross- 

 breeding, although it is not necessarily so, as large white pigs 

 of the purest strains will occasionally throw a pig with a few 

 spots. A cross of Berkshire blood indicates its presence by 

 the appearance of black spots, both on skin and hair, in the 

 second generation. 



" In size, the Large White pig cannot be too large, unless 

 size is gained at the expense of quality. The head should be 

 of fair length, and wide between the eyes ; the jowl light ; 

 the lower jaw slightly curved ; the ears inclined forward ; 

 the shoulders no wider than the hips ; the ribs well sprung ; 

 the carcase deep ; the flank thick ; the quarters lengthy ; the 

 gammon or second thigh reaching to the hocks ; the legs 

 straight and well apart, and possessing no more bone than is 

 sufficient to support and transport the carcase. 



