Pigs : their Breeding and Management. 207 
to general belief, in a tamed variety of the wild hog, the pig has 
arrived, by a variety of influences, at the condition in which he is 
now seen in our showyards and homesteads. The most potential 
of these influences has unquestionably been the introduction of 
the Chinese and Neapolitan varieties ; by the crossing of these 
with the native breeds, and by subsequent careful selections, con- 
tinuous improvement has taken place. 
Thirty or forty years ago the variety of breeds was greater 
than at present. It is a remarkable fact that whilst the 
different breeds of cattle and sheep, particularly the latter, 
have been constantly on the increase, the breeds of pigs have 
been diminishing in number. Climate and soil have had much 
to do with the increase in the breeds of sheep, but as these are 
not an element of importance in the case of pigs, to the influence 
of agricultural shows must be attributed the weeding-out of the 
unfittest and the survival of the fittest. Exhibitions gave an 
opportunity for observing the improvement made in the several 
varieties, and the lessons thus taught were widely felt. 
For a farmer to change his breed of sheep or cattle is a step 
requiring the gravest consideration, but to change the breed of 
pigs is neither costly nor difficult ; hence numerous customers 
have been found for the surplus stock of the successful pig- 
breeder, who probably has profited by agricultural shows as 
largely as successful exhibitors of more valuable stock. 
The reduction in the number of breeds was further encou- 
raged by the fact that Agricultural Societies either offered prizes 
for recognised breeds only, or gave larger sums for distinct or pure 
races. The result has been that at the present time only five or 
six varieties are recognised as distinct breeds. 
With regard to black pigs, there are the Berkshire and the 
Suffolk or Essex. In white pigs there are the Small, Middle, and 
Large breeds, the two latter being most commonly designated 
Yorkshire Whites ; a few of the old sandy-coloured Tamworth 
breed still remain in the north-midland counties. The breeds 
which have gained ground fastest of late years are unquestion- 
ably the Berkshire and the Larger White breeds ; indeed these 
varieties, from their more rapid growth being the most profit- 
able, have to a large extent and over a very wide area of the 
kingdom supplanted local and other breeds. 
Large-bred pigs are more suited for farmers who prepare 
them for market, whilst for gentlemen or amateurs the small 
breeds are sometimes better adapted, especially when the 
object is to obtain small joints for the table, and where neatness 
and appearance are of more importance than profit. 
As an instance of rapid growth and early maturity, I may 
mention that when Mr. Bowick had the management of my 
