THE BERKSHIRE BREED 



47 



It is claimed by some that improvement was effected by 

 using black Siamese boars on the original Berkshire sows, and 

 others claim that white and black-and-white Chinese boars were 

 used. A. B. Allen, who bred Siamese swine many years ago, 

 describes the breed as follows : 



" They varied in color from deep, rich plum to dark slate 



Fig. 14. — Champion pen of Berkshire barrows at the International Exposition. 



and black ; had two or three white feet, but no white on the 

 legs or other parts of the body. The head was short and fine, 

 with a dished face and rather thin jowl ; ears short, slender, 

 and erect; shoulders and hams round, smooth, and extra large; 

 back broad and slightly arched ; body of moderate lenglh, deep, 

 well ribbed up, and nearly as roimd as a barrel ; . . . legs fine 

 and short; . . . hair soft, silky, and thin; no bristles, even on 



