460 



MANUAL OF FARM ANIMALS 



and Berkshire, and rather small in the Tamworths and Hamp- 

 shires. The statement is often made that large jowls indicate 

 great feeding capacity. This is not true, as Tamworths and 

 Hampshires feed as well as Poland Chinas or Berkshires. The 

 medium-sized jowls for the breed are to be preferred. They 

 should be free from heavy folds and not pendulous and loose. 



■'-Wi 



Fig. 159. — Prize Berkshire Sow. Owned at Hood Farm, Lowell, Mass. 



The native home of the Berkshire breed of swine is in England. Like Poland 

 China, this breed is noted for its early maturity and for its ability quickly to 

 attain marketable condition. This breed lacks the extreme fat development 

 of the Poland China, and for this reason the quality of the meat excels the 

 Poland China. In prolificacy and fecundity the breed ranks fair. In weight 

 the animals are classed with the middle-weight breeds. The color is black, 

 with white markings, ears erect, and the face dished. The breed is very popu- 

 lar in America. 



The neck should be of medium length and possess sufficient 

 width and depth to swell smoothly into the shoulder-vein and 

 pass back without any noticeable depression. It should narrow 

 toward the nape and join smoothly with the cheeks. It should 

 join the head and shoulders smoothly without undue thickness, 

 as a neck too thick and too heavy is objectionable because it 



