BERKSHIRES. 297 



common. Berkshire boars when used in crossing or in grading up 

 common stock transmit with considerable certainty all the valuable 

 qualities of their breed. The objections urged against them may be 

 summed up as follows : (i) They are too nervous and excitable, re- 

 quiring very careful handling to secure best results ; (2) their bone is 

 too small, rendering them more liable to mishaps such as hip-shot and 

 broken legs than are the larger-boned breeds. Where Berkshires are 

 carefully handled and properly fed, we know of no better variety, but in 

 the hands of the ordinary farmer, where attention is denied or partially 

 withheld, they cannot be accorded first, nor in our opinion, even second 

 place. 



The illustration, kindly furnished for our use by the Western Agri- 

 culturist and Live Stock Journal, of Quincy, 111., is a fair representation 

 of the breed. 



