SWINE — -GEORGE E. DAY. 35 



Hints on Selection. Being a bacon breed, of course, 

 bacon type must always be kept prominently in view in 

 selecting this breed. Though a light jowl is popular with 

 the packer, it is well to remember that a very narrow jowl 

 is frequently associated with lack of constitution, and a little 

 more width of jowl than is usually found in the Tamworth 

 would be rather to the advantage of the breed. Strength 

 and soundness of bone, and fuller development of ham, 

 should receive special attention in this breed, and an effort 

 should be made to lengthen the side without losing strength 

 of constitution. 



BERKSHIRE. 



Berkshires, so named after the county or shire of Berks, 

 in England, are one of the most widely distributed and best 

 known of the breeds of swine. They are widely bred in 

 Great Britain, and are very numerous in Canada and the 

 United States. They also find a place in many other 

 countries, and seem to retain popularity to a marked degree 

 wherever they are known. It is claimed by some that the 

 Berkshire is descended from the same ancestry as the Tam- 

 worth. Improvement was made by using Chinese blood, 

 and probably Siamese and Neapolitan as well. 



Characteristics. Berkshires are a hardy, easy-feeding, 

 and fairly prolific breed. A tendency on the part of some 

 breeders to breed them extremely fine, has reduced their 

 fecundity in many instances. As bred in Canada, they may 

 be classed as intermediate between the bacon and lard types ; 

 though, as- a rule, they are nearer the latter. In the United 

 States, however, they are bred strictly to the lard type, and 

 usually run smaller in size and finer in bone than the Cana- 

 dian representatives of the breed. For bacon production, 

 they are greatly improved by crossing with the Yorkshire or 

 Tamworth. They are not so large as the Yorkshire or 

 Tamworth, but attain heavy weights when selected with a 

 view to maintain size. The standard color is black, with 

 white on feet, face, and tip of tail, and occasional splash on 



