502 THE PIG 



Whites, compared with 3.18 for the Berkshire, that breed doing 

 best in this respect. 



The breeding qualities of the Chester White rank high, and it 

 may be regarded as one of the most prolific of the heavier-fleshed 

 type of pigs. The general evidence shows the Chester White sow 

 to produce larger than average litters. In 1897 Dr. A. W. Bitting 

 made a careful study of the size of litters of the Chester White, 

 Berkshire, and Poland-China, as based on herdbook records. A 

 total of 2083 litters were studied, showing '8.96 pigs per litter 

 for the Chester White, 8.22 for the Berkshire, and 7.45 for the 



Fig. 233. Barget C. 12954, first-prize Chester White sow at the Ohio State 

 Fair, 1905, and a winner at various other fairs. Owned and exhibited by 

 W. J. Cherry, Xenia, Ohio. Photograph by the author 



Poland-China. Of these the Chester White raised to weaning 

 7.62, the Berkshire 7.17, and the Poland-China 6.14 of a total of 

 1600 litters raised. This is a distinct showing in behalf of the 

 Chester White. The sows as a rule have excellent udders and 

 make very satisfactory mothers, equally good with any other 

 breed of this class. 



The cross-bred or grade Chester White makes a superior feeder, 

 and sows from pure-bred sires are prolific above the average. 

 The Chester White and Poland-China cross to make better 

 butchers' hogs than either of the pure-breds, feeding faster and 

 having more scale than the Poland-China. High-grade Chester 

 Whites are very proUfic, and the fat pigs are appreciated by 



