512 



JUDGING FARM ANIMALS 



should be black, but white marks may occur elsewhere, espe- 

 cially on ear, throat and armpit, without disqualifying for 

 registration. In size, the Berkshire ranks well. Young pigs 

 at six months of age should weigh 175 pounds, and 300 at 

 twelve months. In ordinary condition mature boars should 

 weigh 600 pounds and sows 500 pounds. The Berkshire pos- 

 sesses certain quite distinctive breed features. The head is 

 comparatively short and more or less dished, in some cases 



the nose turning 

 up to an extreme 

 degree, not ap- 

 proved of by very 

 thoughtful breed- 

 ers. The ears should 

 be erect of car- 

 r i a g e, especially 

 with young ani- 

 mals; on old hogs 

 the ears tend to 

 lean forward more 

 or less, due to 

 weakening of the muscles connecting with the head. The back 

 of the Berkshire carries but little arch and is of fair length ; 

 from an end view it does not usually show as much width as 

 some other breeds. The rump may be of excellent length, but 

 the ham tends to lack somewhat in thickness. The bone is of 

 fair quality, and Berkshires stand as well on the feet as 

 do most breeds. The quality of the flesh is of the highest 

 grade, and in general fleshing, the Berkshire shows up 

 smooth and to advantage. This is a breed that does not 

 naturally carry the thickness of the Poland-China, Chester 

 "White or Duroc-Jersey, being the narrowest of the lard 

 type breeds. British breeders favor a leaner-fleshed pig 

 than do Americans. Our judges should not seek the same 

 width and roundness of form with the Berkshire as have 

 the other breeds mentioned. 



Fig. 284. A Berkshire barrow, champion at the 

 International Live Stock Exposition. 



