1922.] 



Berkshire Pigs. 



889 



also may have had a considerable amount of influence. This 

 must have been the case or the attempt to transform the 

 useful Berkshire into a short-headed, .heavy-shouldered, short- 

 backed pug of a pig would never have been attempted. This 

 action on the part of the American fanciers might not 

 have had so disastrous an effect on the breed had not the 

 demand for this " improved " type of Berkshire extended to 

 this country and had not our breeders of Berkshires been 

 tempted by the extravagant prices offered for the tyipe of pig 

 made fashionable in the United States. It must not be 

 forgotten that the farmers and many landlords were at that 

 time passing through a period of great depression; all kinds of 

 farm produce had become greatly reduced in value, whilst the 

 seasons had proved of a most unfavourable character, so that 

 the most up-to-date and so-called high farmers had suffered big 

 losses and were thus easily tempted to spoil the Berkshire pig 

 in order to become possessed of a greater number of American 

 dollars. Fortunately, this craze for the small black type of 

 Berkshire pigs did not continue for any length of time, but 

 much harm was done and the popularity of the Berkshire was 

 temporarily affected. The fancy for the diminutive Berkshire 

 was like most other fancies — short lived. 



The great improvement which had been made in one or two 

 other breeds of pigs and the loss of trade together served as 

 a stimulus to breeders of Berkshire pigs to regain for their 

 favourites the leading position which they had lost. The short 

 head, the heavy jowl, the wide shoulders and short backs were 

 viewed suspiciously, since these special points had lost favour 

 in the States and at the same time rendered their possessors of 

 less value on the meat market. The change from the mere 

 fancy to the utility type of Berkshire was so promptly and 

 thoroughly carried out that pigs of the breed are now looked 

 upon by purveyors of pork as quite the equals of pigs of any 

 other breed. There is no doubt that the Berkshire carries a 

 large proportion of lean to fat meat; it matures early in life so 

 that it is suitable for the London porker trade which requires 

 a carcass weighing from 60 to 70 lb., or for those markets in 

 which fat pigs up to a weight of 200 lb. are required; the meat 

 is of fine quality, the skin is fine and the offals are light. Thus 

 the Berkshire is a profitable pig to kill. (Photos face p. 890.) 



There is still one point which needs somewhat more attention 

 from the breeders of Berkshire pigs than it appears to have 

 received. This is the milking properties of the sows. The 



