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THE LARGE WHITE. 



The Large White Yorkshire is found in the greatest numbers in 

 the North of England, particularly in Yorkshire, Lancashire, 

 Lincolnshire, and Cheshire, but it is also extensively kept in pure 

 herds in all parts of the United Kingdom, and in the commercial 

 stock of the country the Large White type is at least as well 

 represented as any other. 



The original Large White was a big, coarse, strong-haired, lop- 

 eared animal, white in colour except for blue patches on the skin. 

 It was very hardy and prolific but slow in maturing and fattening, 

 narrow and high in the back, and long in the leg and snout. 



Until the formation of the National Pig Breeders' Association in 

 1884, the breeding of pigs was conducted on rather haphazard 

 lines, little attention being paid to nice distinctions between 

 breeds, while pedigree was hardly thought of. It is therefore 

 impossible to mention any particular steps by which improve- 

 ment was effected ; but while a certain amount of crossing with 

 smaller, more quickly maturing breeds was carried out, it is highly 

 probable that careful selection within the breed was chiefly 

 responsible. Owing partly to their wide distribution and to 

 their adaptability to varying conditions, Large Whites are not 

 so uniform in type as some other breeds, but the general character 

 is quite distinct and fixed, and when used for crossing they have 

 great power of passing on their qualities to the offspring. 



Characteristics of the Breed. The Large White Yorkshire is one 

 of the two largest and heaviest breeds of white pigs, the other being 

 the Lincolnshire Curly-Coated. The young pigs grow and fatten 

 very quickly and at the same time are hardy and able to hold 

 their own under rough conditions, while the sows are prolific and 

 excellent milkers. They are active but yet quiet in disposition, 

 and graze and forage well, though at the same time there are 

 few breeds which will bear heavy feeding better and which will 

 give better returns for the food supplied. The head is moderately 

 long, the face slightly dished, snout broad and (unlike that of 

 the Middle White) not turned up. The ears are of medium 

 size and length, thin, and fringed with abundance of fine silky 

 hair and inclined slightly forward. 



There should be a fairly abundant coat of fine white hair on a 

 white skin. " Black hairs, black spots, a coarse coat, a coarse 

 mane, short snout, inhent knees, and hollowness at the back of the 

 shoulders " are all grave objections. 



A full-grown boar in show condition may weigh up to about 

 10 cwt., while pigs at a year old weigh up to 5 cwt. The Irish 

 Department of Agriculture has pronounced the Large White to be 

 admirably suited to the requirements of Irish farmers, for, among 

 other reasons, its " neat head, light neck and shoulders, good girth, 

 and plenty of depth through the heart, well-sprung ribs, with 

 moderate depth of side, great length of body on short legs, thick 

 loins and stout thighs." A strong constitution, immense size, quick- 

 ness of growth, and lean flesh are its characteristic qualities. 



