BERKSHIRE SWINE. The Berkshire's are to swine what the blood-horse is among horsemen—a type of high breeding, possessing firm bone, great muscularity, and good constitu tion, so far as this may be compatible with high fattening qualities. They are more uniform in color, than any of the white and black breeds. The fashionable color now being white feet, tips of tails,tind a little white in the face, the rest of the body being jet black. More than forty years ago, as we then knew and bred there were many upon which a sandy color would crop out. They were larger boned and coarser in their make-up, but nevertheless, perhaps, containing more lean flesh (muscle) than at the present day; not so kindly in fattening, neither did they contain so much lard, but their hams, shoulders and bacon were, we think, superior to the more modern Berkshires, or those of today. The illustration will show the perfection of Berkshire breeding (fat) as we now see them at our fairs. The best type of this breed of to-day have short noses; slightly dished faces; small, fine, erect ears; eyes wide apart; straight backs, preserving its width from the neck to the rump; muscular hams and shoulders; the bacon pieces well broken with strips of lean, fine hams, short legs, excellent hoofs, and in killing showing but little offal. Their vigor make them excellent gleaners,
to follow cattle fattened in the field, and their weight, from 300 to 600 pounds, render them sought after by the packers, especially of hams and bacon. They have been with us always a favorite breed on account of their muscular development, as among the middle breeds, as the Essex have been among the small breeds. It is, however, not to be denied, that they will. not stand starving. They require strong feed and plenty of it, to reach the best development, and what animal does not? Nevertheless, we do not think they assimilate, quite so much of their food, when the bulk of it is corn, as do some of the breeds more inclined to lard. Yet, no breed will reach good development on'scant food, and when muscle as well as fat is wanted, the breeder or feeder would have to hunt far for a hog better combining all good qualities, and of medium weight.