THE LARGE YORKSHIRE BREED 91 
seems to be unknown. Owing to the great size of the original 
type, it was possible to cross them with finer breeds and_ still 
retain plenty of size in the improved animal, The main im- 
provement in the breed has taken place within the past sixty 
or seventy vears, and it is said that the first important step 
was the crossing of the Yorkshire with the White Leicester, 
Fic. 25.—Large Yorkshire sow, champion at the English Royal Show. The illustration 
shows a little weakness in hind pasterns, but the sow is not standing well. 
which was a large breed, but finer in the bone and more easily 
fattened than the wld Yorkshire. It is also said that the White 
Leicester resulted from crossing a white (Chinese breed with 
the original Yorkshire. 
Further improvement was effected by crossing with the 
Small White breed of England,—at least, such is the claim 
made by some authorities, though we have no very definite 
