424 Pork Production 



1825 importations were made from England to Massa- 

 chusetts of hogs which there gained popularity and were 

 known as the Thin Rind. In 1835 Thin Rind hogs, 

 probably from eastern sources, were introduced into 

 Kentucky, where the breed probably had its early develop- 

 ment. The official beginning of the breed was in Boone 

 County, Kentucky, in 1893, under the name Thin Rind. 

 In 1904 the name was changed by the association to 

 Hampshire. 



The history of the development of this breed has largely 

 been written in the last fifteen years. During that period 

 the breed has experienced an unprecedented growth in 

 numbers and popularity. This has been due not only 

 to the merit of the breed itself, but to the energetic 

 methods of the association in promoting the breed's 

 interests. 



The Hampshire is a medium-sized breed, full of quality ; 

 the sows are good mothers and the pigs excellent rustlers 

 and great killers. As judged at the different shows, a 

 diversity of types exists. Although most of those pro- 

 duced in the corn-belt are more of the lard than of the 

 bacon type, some breeders select for the latter and many 

 for the type which is a happy blend of both. A severe 

 handicap with which the breed has to contend is the self- 

 imposed restriction that only those which wear the white 

 belt are eligible to favor. 



THE BERKSHIRE (PLATE x) 



The Berkshire is the oldest of our breeds of lard hogs 

 and the only one of English origin. In 1789 it was written 

 by Culley 1 that Berkshires were more numerous than any 



1 Plumb's "Types and Breeds of Farm Animals." 



