52 BREEDS OF SWINE 



The Berkshire ranks with the best as an economical 

 producer of pork. Probably it will never be known which 

 breed is capable of making the cheapest gain, but it is safe 

 to say that the Berkshire will produce pork as cheaply as 

 any other breed. 



The flesh of the Berkshire is of excellent quality and carries 

 a large proportion of lean to fat. Investigations regarding 

 the quality of meat from different breeds generally agree in 

 giving the Berkshire a high place. 



Berkshire sows of the more lengthy type are prolific and 

 generally make good mothers; but the extremely fine, short 

 type of sow seldom produces such large litters. The boars 

 are prepotent, and cross well with almost any other breed, 

 as well as being useful for improving common stock. 



Berkshire Score Card. — Following is the standard of ex- 

 cellence adopted by the American Berkshire Association : 



Counts. 

 Color — Black, with white on feet, face, tip of tail, and an occasional 



splash on the arm 4 



Face and Snout — Short; the former fine and well dished, and broad 



between the eyes 7 



Eye — Very clear, rather large, dark hazel or gray 2 



Ear — Generally almost erect, but sometimes inclined forward with 



advancing age ; medium size, thin and soft 4 



Jowl — Full and heavy, running well back on neck 4 



'Neck — Short and broad on top 4 



Hair — Fine and soft; medium thickness 3 



Skin — Smooth and pliable 4 



Shoulder — Thick and even, broad on top, and deep through chest 7 



Back — iBroad, short, and straight; ribs well sprung, coupling close to 



hips 8 



Side — ^Deep and well let down; straight on bottom lines 6 



Flank — Well back and low down on leg, making nearly straight line 



with the lower part of side 5 



Loin — Full and wide 9 



Horn — Deep and thick, extending well up on back and holding thick- 

 ness well down to hock 10 



