THE LARGE YORKSHIRE BREED 91 



seems to be unknown. Owing to the great size of tlie original 

 type, it was possible to cross them with finer breeds and still 

 retain plenty of size in the im2)roved animal. The main im- 

 provement in the breed has taken place within the past sixty 

 or seventy years, and it is said that the first important step 

 was the crossing of the Yorkshire with the White Leicester, 



Fig. 25. — Large Yorkshire sow, champion at the English Royal Show. The illustration 

 shows a Uttle 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 old Yorkshire. It is also said that the White 

 Leicester residted from crossing a white Chinese breed with 

 the original Yorkshire. 



Fitrther improvcmient was effected by crossing with the 

 Small ^Yhite breed of England, — at least, such is the claim 

 made by some authorities, though we have no very definite 



