532 THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. BOOK v. 



successful in their attempts, and this at the very time when the public 

 taste was beginning to demand pork, bacon, and hams of a leaner de- 

 scription. Some of our leading bacon-curers took energetic steps to 

 bring this question fairly before the breeders of Berkshire pigs, and 

 great benefit has already resulted. There may remain some lost 

 ground to be recovered, although we do not for one moment doubt 

 that the same energy and skill which the breeders of Berkshires have 

 displayed in bringing their favourites to the high standard of form and 

 type demanded by the public, or perhaps by the show-yard judges, will 

 be successfully and quickly applied in producing a Berkshire to meet 

 the present requirements of curers and consumers. 



The Large Black Pig (p. 536) has of late years come prominently before 

 the public, and has a Herd-book Society of its own. Some care will be 

 necessary on the part of the managers of this Society since there are at 



Fig. 137. Berkshire Boar, " Baron Kitchener/' 



Winner of many Prizes. The foundation of the Herd of the 

 Dowager-Duchess of Devonshire, Eastbourne. 



least two distinct types amongst the pigs of this breed, one which is 

 chiefly found in the South-west of England being of a somewhat thicker 

 and stronger type of pig than the lengthy, deep sided, if rather lighter 

 fleshed pig more generally cultivated in East Anglia. The sources of 

 origin may account for this variation in character to a slight extent, but 

 the style and size of the fat pig most in demand in the various districts 

 is probably the chief controlling cause. 



In the eastern counties the demand is for a pig of good length, with 

 a large proportion of lean, and one which will mature early. The miners 

 in Cornwall may prefer their pork fatter, and from a more matured pig. 

 The sows of this breed are prolific, suckle freely, and are good, quiet 

 mothers. Large numbers of the sows are now being kept in the eastern 



