574=305 
Pi-actical Agriculture, 
length, is full and muscular ; the shoulder well set — so that n 
have a perfectly regular outline. There is not the extr 
ordinary wealth of chine which is seen in the Suffolk, but tl 
forequarters are well proportioned. Occasionally we find 
slight deficiency in the girth, caused by the flatness of the fo 
ribs. The back is fairly level, and the ribs, as a rule, tolerab 
spi:ung ; a less perfect barrel, however, than is to be four 
in the Essex and Suffolk blacks. Loins wide and well coverec 
quarters often rather short and drooping, this being probab 
the weakest point in the breed. The tail is usually set low 
than the hips, which gives a somewhat common charact( 
The gammon is full and deep ; underlines somewhat irregula 
the flank is often light. The carcass stands on short legs ; ai 
the bone, whilst stronger than in the small sorts, is well pr 
portioned. The strength and character of the coat vary a 
cording to sex and management. The effect of confineme 
and close breeding is to reduce the hair. Bristles indicate 
thick skin, coarse offal, and slow feeding ; on the other han 
thin, weak, soft hair is a sure evidence of delicacy, especially 
the boar. The boar should have plenty of hair ; though 
the sow, fine long hair is desirable. If the pig is to work f 
its living, and to officiate as the scavenger of the farm, the 
must be constitution ; and we cannot have this without ha 
The great merit of the Berkshires over most other breeds co 
sists in the large proportion of lean meat, and the distributi 
of fat and lean when properly fed ; consequently a given ill 
weight realises a larger proportion of available meat than in x 
other breed." 
The average dead-weight at a year old may be about 320 Ibi 
but specimens have exceeded 500 lbs. at that age. 
Breeders. Among the most noted breeders of Berkshire pigs are A 
Joseph Smith, of Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire ; Air. Hel 
Humfrey, of Shrivenham, Berkshire ; Mr. Arthur Stewart, 
Gloucester; Mr. Richard Fowler, of Broughton ' Farm, Ayl 
bury ; Mr. John Pittman King, of Wallingford, Berkshii 
Messrs. Harris and Biggs, of Cublington, Bedfordshire ; L( 
Chesham ; Mr. Nathaniel Benjafield, of Motcombe, Dors< 
Mr. William Hewer, of Sevenhampton, Wiltshire ; Mr. Russ 
Swanwick, of the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. 
Tamworth The Tamwortli breed are a valuable kind, mainly differ] 
pigs. from the Berkshire in their tawny or ruddy colour. Amc 
the chief breeders of this sort are Mr. Edward Lowe, of Comb 
ford, Tamworth ; Mr. Henry Sharp, of Packington, Coventi 
Mr. Peyton, of Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield ; and Mr. R. 
Masfen, of Pendeford, Wolverhampton. 
Improved Improved Dorset Firis. — Tiiis black breed is remarkably co 
Dorsets. I J 
