THE BREEDS OF SWINE 



391 



to America in 1823 by an English farmer who lived in New 

 Jersey. Soon after others were imported, and during the 

 latter half of the nineteenth century many Berkshires were 

 brought to America. In recent years, however, but few of 

 these pigs have been imported to this country. 



The following are some of the most important features 

 of the Berkshire to-day. The color is black, with more or 

 less white on the face, feet, and tail. When all four legs, 

 the face, and tail are marked thus, they are termed the "six 

 points." The head is fairly short, the nose slightly 



Figure 175. A fine type of Berkshire sow, champion at Ohio State Fair. 

 Photograph by J. C. Allen. 



curved up or the head "dish-faced," as it is termed, and 

 the ears are erect, pointing slightly forward. The head of 

 the Berkshire is one of its most distinctive breed features. 

 In size this may be classed as medium, although there are 

 individuals of superior breeding that attain a large size. 

 Boars often weigh 500 pounds and sows about 400. There 

 has, nevertheless, been a feeling among corn-belt pork pro- 

 ducers that the Berkshire lacks in size, and this has affected 

 its popularity in face of the present-day demand for big- 

 type hogs. The Berkshire should have a strong and fairly 



