418 THE BREEDS OF LIVE-STOCK 
breeders are maintaining both size and quality, and the 
future of the breed is no doubt safe in their hands. In 
Canada, owing to the demands of the market for bacon 
hogs, and owing to the competition of strictly bacon breeds, 
the tendency on the part of the best Berkshire breeders 
has been to select for a lengthy, strong-boned type, which, 
compared with the American type, looks somewhat legg 
and coarse, but which, in reality, is a first-class farmer’s 
hog. A good deal is heard at present about the so-called 
Large English Berkshire. The Large English Berkshire 
is no different in breeding from the ordinary Berkshire, 
but in England, as in any other country, the Berkshire 
will be found to vary more or less in type, and some im- 
porters select the larger, stronger-boned animals for im- 
portation to America, and call them Large English Berk- 
shires. As a matter of fact, they may be litter mates of 
animals of the very finest-boned type. 
506. Uses of Berkshire hogs. —- The Berkshire is better 
suited for supplying the market demand for fat hogs than 
it is for producing bacon hogs. When backs, shoulders 
and hams are the main requirements, the Berkshire fits in 
exceptionally well; but for the export bacon trade in 
what are known as “‘ Wiltshire sides,” the Berkshire has 
scarcely enough length of side, and has too heavy a neck 
and shoulder, because the neck and shoulder furnish cuts 
which are low in price and difficult to sell in connection 
with a ‘‘ Wiltshire side.” When crossed with the Large 
Yorkshire or Tamworth, an excellent farmer’s hog is the 
result, although it is perhaps a little nearer to the bacon 
type than to the fat type. Berkshires have made an 
exceptionally good showing in the market classes at lead- 
ing American shows, where they come into competition 
with other breeds. 
