226 



Berkshire Hos^s. 



Vol. 



For the Farmers' Cabinet. 



Berkshire Hogs. 



An article in the last Cabinet, under the 

 caption of Berkshires, and containing so very 

 unfair a judgment on the merits of that inval- 

 uable breed, over the signature of R. S. B., 

 Northampton Co., together with the severe 

 strictures of G. H. D., where the Berkshire 

 mania, so called, is classed with the humbugs 

 of the day, seem to make it proper for their 

 friends, if they have any left, to protest against 

 their being thus unceremoniously killed oft" 

 without benefit of clergy. Indeed at this 

 time, when, with the versatility peculiar to 

 American character, the agricultural prfess is 

 teeming with anti-Berkshire essays, condemn- 

 ing in louder tones than ever were uttered 

 in its favour, the whole breed, as a merino 

 sheep, multicaulis humbug, it might seem al- 

 most presumptuous, even in one who has tried 

 them, to endeavour to stem the torrent It 

 seems unfortunate that, on the introduction 

 of any thing new either in agriculture, sci- 

 ence, or the arts, in the thermometer of pub- 

 lic opinion, the mercury, starting at zero, 

 must rush up immediately and rapidly 

 throughout its whole range, and all the way 

 back to the starting point, and even below it 

 before it finally attains its proper state of 

 quiescence. Particularly on the introduction 

 of a new breed of animals, we seize on them 

 with great avidity from the mere novelty, in- 

 vest them with extravagant and supernatural 

 qualities, proclaim the wonderful things they 

 are to do, and when at last they fall short of 

 these calculations, the whole affair is pro- 

 nounced a " merino multicaulis humbug." 

 From being placed in the first instance far 

 above their merits, they are next placed far 

 below them. This, in the United States, is 

 always the modus operandi of introducing 

 new breeds of stock to farmers, who, after 

 passing through the high-fever stage of heavy 

 profits, and down again to the cold or col- 

 lapse, at last finally settle in a medium tem- 

 perature, and give to the new breed whatever 

 is its just value. To this process Berkshires 

 must submit. R, S. B., in the communication 

 referred to, does not make the true issue. 

 He says one .of his neighbours put up two 

 Berkshires and two common hogs in a stable 

 to feed, and that the common ones outweigh- 

 ed the others. This is very probable, but 

 does not prove the main point, that the Berk- 

 shires did not return the greatest weight for 

 the quantity of food consumed. Berkshire 

 breeders do not contend that generally they 

 attain such great weights as other hogs, but 

 that a given amount of food will make a 

 greater quantity of pork ; that if it does not 

 feed such large hogs, it will feed a greater 

 number. I have so fully satisfied myself of 



this point, that, although owning some \ 



fine ones of the Chester Co. breed, I li 



killed them ofF, and intend keeping notl 



but the thorough-bred Berkshire. At al 



12 months old they will weigh from 20( 



2G0 lbs., being ready for slaughter at any 



riod of their growth, and requiring at last 



a few days' feeding upon corn to harden 



meat. The shape of the true Berkshit 



perfect, forming the beau ideal of a per 



animal; the bone fine, the head and all 



offal parts very small, the most valuable pa 



the hams and shoulders, full, round and la; 



Occasionally it is admitted that they h 



not sufficient depth, but this is only an 



ception. Where it occurs, the owner n 



remedy it by careful selection. This car 



be made a valid objection, for there is 



breed however pure or perfect of any anin 



but that something must depend on the ji 



ment and talent of the breeder to keep 



and to remedy any occasional or inherent 



feet. Something approaching the barrel fl 



must of necessity accompany the qualit} 



easy feeding. In regard to size, the farn 



here who feed a tew every fall for Philai 



phia market, besides what is wanted for he 



consumption, find that a hog weighing fi 



150 to 250 lbs. is the most saleable and bri 



the best price. The Berkshires make , 



the weight wanted for family use. Whet 



in Northampton county, where grain is lo' 



than here, they cannot afford to waste i1 



large consumers, who will carry to mar 



greater weight and size, is for him to s 



Another characteristic of the Berkshire is 



superior quality of the meat. In this at 1( 



there is no mistake. Berkshire hams 



well known in Philadelphia for their supei 



flavour and richness. They are remarka 



free from fat, and are no less known by tli 



handsome rotund shape, than by their ten 



and juicy qualities. A slice of Berksh 



ham, properly cured, is a dainty morsel 



predated by a connoisseur. Another recc 



mendation is the great fecundity of the bre 



producing from 8 to 15 at a litter, and 



fact of their being most excellent nurses. 



a most unaccountable mistake, R, S. B. 



jects to them on this very head, and says tl 



are not prolific, that four of his neighboi 



sows had but one each, and that genera 



they have but four or five. I have raii 



Berkshires for several years, have sold nu 



bors of them not only in this neighbourho 



but to gentlemen at a distance, and as far 



my experience and observation go, would £ 



they are not more noted for their black cok 



than for their success in safely rearing a f 



average number. 



The true question then at issue, at lei 

 in this section of country, is, what breed i 

 hogs will return the greatest weight for t 



