OHAPTEK VI. 



MIDDLE-BRED WHITE PIGS. 



S the name implies, these are something betwixt and 

 between the large and small sorts which have been 

 lately described — a cross breed in short, for which 

 the Eoyal Agricultural Society can as yet find no 

 distinctive title, and it accordingly classes them as pigs not 

 eligible to compete in the above classes, i.e., the large or small 

 division. By-and-bye they will succeed to the dignity of a 

 separate classification, that is, provided breeders keep them 

 pure. At present there is considerable variety, according to 

 the preponderance of either sort. The result, however, is a 

 highly useful breed, which finds increasing favour with the 

 tenant farmer, because it fulfils all the conditions for which 

 pigs are considered desirable. Thus we have size, aptitude to- 

 feed, flesh without coarseness, hardy constitution, and pro- 

 ductiveness. The middle-bred sorts are essentially tenant- 

 farmers' pigs. At first sight it is difficult, especially in the 

 young stage, to distinguish them from the small sorts. "We 

 have no doubt that prizes have been won in consequence of 

 such substitution; indeed, the youngster makes a good small 

 pig, whilst the more mature animal figures in the nondescript 

 division. Up to the present time we have much variety of 

 type, according as the impress of the large or the small sort 

 predominates. Generally speaking, the features resemble most 

 closely the small sort, and this was certainly the case with the 

 specimens which Mr. Harrison Weir has drawn, and which, we 

 believe, represent prize-winning animals bred by the Earl of 

 EUesmere, who, having such excellent animals of both the pure 



