BltEEDS. 431 



Chinese, or descendants of the Chinese variety, so as to suit 

 its size to the demand of the consumers. The Essex breed 

 has, in like manner, been crossed with the smaller and finer 

 breeds, so as to lessen its size, and increase the delicacy of 

 the pork; and the 'Essex Hogs are peculiarly distinguished 

 by the fineness of the skin and softness of the hair. 



The same system of crossing has been applied to all the 

 former breeds of the country, the Northampton, the Shrop- 

 shire, the Hampshire, the Rudgwick. The latter, so called 

 from a village of that name on ' the borders of Surrey and 

 Sussex, were the largest Swine in England, and perhaps in the 

 world. The Hampshire Hogs were also a very noted breed, 

 from their being of large size, and well suited for bacon. 

 But the distinctive characters of these various races have 

 been more or less effaced, so that varieties described by for- 

 mer observers cannot now be traced. In general, it may be 

 said that all the breeds of this country have been tending to 

 a smaller size and greater uniformity of character. 



Of the breeds of England, one greatly valued is the Berk- 

 shire. It is so termed from the county of that name, though 

 the principal improvement of the breed was made in the 

 counties farther north, chiefly in Leicestershire and Stafford- 

 shire. It still retained, however, its original designation, 

 and the Berkshire has been long known as one of the most 

 generally spread of the improved breeds of England. 



The true Berkshires are of the larger races of Swine, 

 though they fall short in size of some of the older breeds, as 

 the Hampshire, the Rudgwick, and others. They are usually 

 of a reddish-brown colour, with brown or black spots, a cha- 

 racter which makes it appear that one of the means employed 

 to improve them was a cross with the Wild Hog. The Berk- 

 shire is still regarded as one of the superior breeds of Eng- 

 land, combining size with a sufficient aptitude to fatten, and 

 being fitted for pork and bacon ; and it is held to be the hardi- 

 est of the more improved races. 



But the Berkshire breed has, like every other, been crossed 



