394 



SWINK. 



The Berkshires. From 1820 to 1833 this breed was largely im- 

 ported into the United States and sold at exorbitant prices. But the 

 careless neglectful system of farming then so common, caused the breed 

 to lose the good qualities given them by the English, who at that 

 time gave them careful management as regards both their breeding and 

 feeding. The breed so deteriorated that the farmers became prejudiced 

 and for years afterwards would hardly accept a Berkshire as a gift. 



But at the close of the Civil war new importation of the finest speci- 

 mens of English bred Berkshires that could be found, were made. The 

 character of farming having changed from back-woods to more modern, 

 and the good qualities of the Berkshires becoming known, they have 

 become as popular to-day as they were despised sixty years ago. 



Their good qualities may be stated as follows: 



Great vitality, which renders them less liable to disease than many 

 other breeds. 



They have great muscular power and are very active. 



They have good digestive and assimilating power. They therefore 

 return a large amount of fat and flesh for the quantity of food eaten. 



The sows are careful mothers, good sucklers and are very prolific. 



The pigs at birth are strong and active and therefore are not liable to 

 mishaps. 



They are easily fattened at any age for market, yet can be fed to any 

 reasonable weight. 



There flesh is of a very fine quality. 



They are uniform in color, markings, and quality. 



The male when used as a cross transmits the good qualities of the 

 breed to its progeny. 



Characteristics. The ' 'Swine Breeders' ' Convention at New York 

 gave the following as a good description of the characteristics and 

 markings of the Berkshires : Color black, with white on feet, face, tip 

 of tail, and an occasional splash of white on the arm; while a small spot 

 of white on some other part of the body does not argue an impurity of 

 blood, yet it is to be discouraged to the end that uniformity of color may 

 be attained by breeders; white upon one ear, or a bronze or copper spot 

 on some part of the body argues no impurity, but rather a reappearance 

 of original colors. Markings of white other than those named above are 

 suspicions, and a pig so marked should be rejected. 



Face short, fine, and well dished, broad between the eyes; ears generally 

 almost erect, but sometimes inclining forward with advancing age, small, 



