222 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



animal which will be ready to slaughter when about six 

 months old. 



The middle Yorkshire, intermediate as it is in character- 

 istics between the small and the larije, mio:ht seem to be the 

 animal we are seeking, and indeed this breed would serve 

 our purpose ; but the latest English authorities agree that 

 this so-called breed has not the well-defined characteristics of 

 either of the others. Within recent times it has doubtless 

 been produced by a cross between large and small white 

 breeds (probably Yorkshires) ; and it certainly will not pay 

 the farmer looking for profit in feeding to give fancy prices 

 for pure-bred animals, when, as I hope to show, he can 

 cheaply breed precisely similar animals himself. 



This now brings me to speak of the Chester Whites, prob- 

 ably the first breed of purely American origin. Fortunately, 

 perhaps, for your patience, it will be unnecessary to say 

 much ; for in this breed we find the leading characteristics 

 almost identical with those of the large Yorkshires. Espe- 

 cially is this true of the less highly refined families of the 

 breed, which in point of size, form, growth, proportion of 

 lean, breeding character, constitution, etc., seem to me to be 

 just what the English describe their large Yorkshires to be. 

 You are prepared to hear me say, then, that neither would I 

 select the pure Chester Whites for profitable feeding. I 

 desired, however, to call your attention to this breed because 

 I believe it more than any has influenced the common stock 

 of this State. Our common pigs are to all intents and 

 purposes coarse Chester Whites, or, as the English would 

 say, "large whites." 



Now, excellent as is our common stock in many respects, — 

 constitution, size, color, breeding capacity, large production 

 of lean, etc., — it yet leaves something to be desired. The 

 growth is too slow ; the animals are not ready to slaughter 

 early enough ; the head, bones and legs are too coarse ; the 

 bodies too narrow. It is fortunate, then, that we have in 

 our midst the very animal needed to correct these defects, 

 and ofive us what we are seeking. This animal is the small 

 Yorkshire boar, which, crossed upon our long, rangy, com- 

 mon white sows, will give us just what we want, — large 

 litters of pigs, which these sows will feed well, and which in 



