CHAPTER XVI 



THE BREEDS OF SWINE 



Classification of the Breeds of Swine 



Fat 



Berkshire 



Poland China 



Duroc Jersey Bacon 



Chester White 



Hampshire 



Large Improved York- 

 shire 

 Tamworth 



298. The Berkshire. — The original stock of the Berk- 

 shire breed was very old, but it has been modified in both 

 color and form to such an extent, by engrafting other 

 stocks, as to bring the real origin of the breed within the 

 era of general live-stock improvement, which began in 

 Great Britain in Bakewell's time. At that, it was the 

 first breed improved, and has been most potent in the im- 

 provement of others. 



The typical Berkshire (Fig. 139) represents the early im- 

 provement wrought in the breed by an exceptional degree 

 of style, character and refinement, as well as in the uni- 

 formity with which he possesses merit, as measured by 

 feeders' and packers' standards. The Berkshire averages 

 a little larger than any of the other fat hog breeds, but does 

 not attain as great size as the two leading bacon breeds, 

 boars weighing 500 pounds and sows 400 pounds at ma- 

 turity. Its form is characterized by more length and 

 trimness of body than is usual in breeds of this type, the 



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