THE LARGE YORKSHIRE ;87 



While the market demand for breeding stock is for good-sized 

 animals at maturity, excessive weight is undesirable. A boar in 

 moderate flesh that weighs 700 pounds would be very acceptable, 

 while 600 pounds for a sow in breeding condition would meet 

 with most requirements. There are now comparatively few of this 

 very large, coarse type of pig. 



Early maturity with the Large Yorkshire is not a characteristic 

 feature. The pigs grow well, but do not fatten and mature after the 

 manner of the lard type of pigs. The Yorkshire keeps growing 

 when other breeds fatten and finish. So far as weight is concerned, 



Fig. 362. A pure-bred Large Yorkshire barrow about six months old, one of 

 the champion pen of the breed in 1905 at the International Live-Stock Expo- 

 sition, Chicago. Bred and exhibited by Ohio State University. From photograph 



by the author 



of pigs of several breeds farrowed at the same date and carried 

 along under similar conditions for six months, the Yorkshire will 

 very likely weigh decidedly the most. Feeders in the corn belt, used 

 to pigs that will finish off in eight months, find the Large York- 

 shire slow to mature. In fact, having a leaner inheritance, it cannot 

 be expected to fatten and mature in the manner of the lard hog. 



Large Yorkshire crossbreds are a very superior type. The 

 Yorkshire boar bred to either Poland-China or Berkshire sows 

 produces most excellent feeders. In experiments conducted by 

 the author with this combination the pigs grew rapidly, fed 

 extremely well, finished off smoothly, and produced the best sort 

 of meat. At the International Live-Stock Exposition there have 

 Digitized by Microsoft® 



