478 THE PIGS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



Berkshire is not all it is stated to be even in its own favourite 

 locality. There is, perhaps, no variety of British swine which 

 is ready for breeding at so early a period as the Tamworth, nor 

 one which produces a larger number of pigs at a litter. It is 

 at the same time one of the most vigorous of breeds, and 

 although we do not regard a grazing pig as specially advan- 

 tageous, yet the Tamworth is a pig adapted for living upon 

 grass or clover — a custom which largely prevails in America, 

 There is no doubt some connection between the grazing of pigs 

 and their qualification as bacon makers just as confinement 

 and sleep with high feeding are connected with the production 

 of fat. With regard to the colour of the Tamworth it appears 

 to be conclusive that the best pigs are now of a lighter sandy 

 red than those of past generations. This has been attributed 

 to a cross with the white pigs ; on the other hand, we are of 

 opinion that the Berkshire has been used for crossing, and that 

 the very considerable amount of black which is seen in many 

 reputable herds of Tamworths is derived from that source, 

 although experienced breeders declare that the Tamworth and 

 the Berkshire crossed do not produce a really good pig. This 

 cannot be said of the cross with the white, for we have seen 

 many of the finest specimens of fat and breeding swine produced 

 from this cross as could be desired. The Tamworth is a pig 

 which carries a comparatively small percentage of offal, and 

 this fact, combined with its great prolificacy and quick growth, 

 makes it one of the most desirable breeds for the use of the 

 farmer in this or any other country. 



