678 The Farm Labourers of England and Wales. 
than it has been since 1879. At that time it had been gene- 
rally improving, though with occasional fluctuations, for many 
years, and I believe that it would have improved more rapidly 
than ever with the advance of education and knowledge of 
opportunities of betterment if it had not been checked by the 
terrible depression. At any rate, there can hardly be a doubt 
that, unless the towns and mines can absorb a continuously 
increasing number of rural workmen, the continuance of agri- 
cultural depression would become a veritable disaster to the farm 
labourers. Let us hope that this crowning misfortune may be 
prevented by a turn in the long-ebbing tide of agricultural affairs. 
William E. Bear. 
MANAGEMENT OF BERKSHIRE PIGS. 
At the present time, when a herd of pigs well managed pays 
probably better than any other live stock on the farm, it may 
be of interest to those who have a herd, or contemplate 
starting one, to read something about the routine of manage- 
ment of a large and fairly successful herd. 
In this short paper — and it must naturally be brief, so many 
pre-eminently fitted to write on such matters having given their 
experience on previous occasions — it is my intention to treat 
only of the essentially practical part, and to give a few hints to 
those who may consider them worth taking. 
That those of us who make pigs our special study differ on 
certain points is only what might be expected, and this is one 
reason why I give my experience based upon daily observations. 
In the first place, success depends in no small degree upon 
the herdsman ; but a man who is naturally fond of animals very 
quickly learns the chief points to be observed to command 
success, and with a keen master to give the necessary instruc- 
tions there should be no difficulty. I have personally known 
more than one man who, though previously having little or 
nothing to do with pigs, took to the work with great success. 
These men, no doubt, wei’e really fond of all animals, and would 
have done well with any stock entrusted to their care, provided 
their master gave them that desirable encouragement without 
which it is an uphill game for the servant and loss to the master. 
The sties should be away from the other buildings of 
the farm if possible, although this is seldom so except 
on recently constructed premises ; but in any case they are 
