290 THE STUDY OF BREEDS. 



LEADING CHARACTERISTICS. 



I. Relative size. 



(1) Chester Whites are among the largest, if they are not 

 indeed the largest of the American or British breeds. 



(2) The size, however, has lessened since the coarseness 

 which characterized many of the earlier specimens was 

 eliminated. 



II. Adaptability. 



(1) Chester Whites have been found best suited to those 

 portions of the United States where the climate is not too 

 warm in summer. 



(2) They also answer well for markets which call for 

 large development at a comparatively early age. 



III. Early maturing qualities. 



(1) They possess these in a fair degree, but not to the 

 same extent as some of the small breeds, as 



(2) The large frame requires longer to perfect its growth. 



IV. Grazing and feeding qualities. 



(1) The fairly strong limbs of the Chester Whites adapt 

 them well to summer grazing. 



(2) They will feed to attain heavy weights, but do not 

 finish so soon as some of the lighter breeds. 



V. Quality of the meat. 



(1) The meat is good, but contains more bone than some 

 breeds, and 



(2) The flesh is also less firm, owing probably to the rela- 

 tively larger amount of fat. 



VI. Value in crossing and grading. 



(1) Chester Whites are valuable for crossing upon grades 

 small and over refined. 



(2) Such a cross will impart vigor, hardihood, increased 

 prolificacy and greatly increased size. 



VII. Breeding qualities. 



(1) These are satisfactory, but 



(2) They are probably scarcely equal to those of the other 

 large breeds. 



