Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-08-23
pURE BERKNHIRR.

. NA' - N' OOAAS o. sH' Ooh auO y. .
Bell, Of Robertson county, have inaugurated
for that county, an enterprise that bids fair
to revolutionize, at least, one branch of hue
bandry in the county, and extend favor.
able influence into the surrounding coun-
ties. Recently we bought of that firm
&C. c. Bell & Coz q boar pig, which for
beauty and symmetry of form we have
never seen equalled. he is from stock d.
rectly imported from the best breeders in
England by the Messrs. Bell, whom we
know not only to be reliable gentlemen, but
among the most enterprising citizens to be
found in the State. They are entirely trust
worthy and are known far and wide for
their love of good farming and fine stock
We heartily commend to the people of the
State these gentlemen, and will guarantee
satisfaction TO all persons who may order
piss from them.
We also commend Mr.. McElroy, of Leb-
anon, KY, who is engaged in the same
business, and can assure our readers that
they will always find both these firms deal
ing only in such stock as will reflect honor
upon themselves as breeders.
The Berkshire hog stands far above all
other breeds with our people. The very
fact that he was in high repute more than
century ago in England and has for that
long period constantly gained ground, and
been made the basis of all Improvements
in other breeds is sufficient without further
proof to show his worth. Mr.. Sydney, of
England, a gen leman of varied and ex-
tensive culture, says of the Berkshire:
Among the black breed by universal
consent the improved Berkshire hog stands
at the head of the list, either to breed from
or to cross with infe;iOr breeds. The late
Lord Darlington, who died in 1929, did a
great deal to improve the Berkshire and ali
the best Of that breed are traceable back to
his herd. They are considered, says Mr..
Sydney, by farmers to be divided into
medium (not large breed and a small breed.
Iffirst class they should be well covered with
long, black and silky hair, SO soft indeed,
that the problem of making silk purse out
of a sow's ear might be solved with a prize
Berkshire. The white should be confined
to their feet, and white spot between
their eyes and few white hairs about their
shoulders.
To this description those grown by
Messrs. Bell, of Robertson county, and Mr..
cElroy, of Kentucky, answer, and their
very appearance is such as 10 show there
Can be no impure blood in their veins.
We subj)in the following from an es-
say read by Mr.. Bryant, of Lexington,
Ky, before the Agricultural Congress of
Selma, Ala, last December. 1t is discrim-
mating and will enable our readers to
guard yainst impositions:
"The improved Berkshires weigh various
" from three hundred to four hundred and
fifty at nineteen months old, according TO
food and style of breeding; and we have
known full grown boars to weigh one thou
sand gross, pigs from five 20 six months two
hundred to two hundred and fifty. These
are no doubt extreme weights, but not at
all uncD mmon in well bred and properly
managed herds. The form of the best
specimens is, short head and neck, with a
medium, dished face, very wide between
the eyes, well shaped, moderate size jOle;
ears leaning slightly forward, but by no
means Topped; back broad and straight
from head TO tail; sides deep; flesh fine and
heavy; bone hard and round; legs short and
taperiug; hams full and round, and color as
above desert ed.
"The great hardihOod of the Berkshire,
and gen, raj freedom from cutaueous and
othsE. 6'e&ses so prevalent among many
Other y eeds, has now become pr1verbial
in localities where they have received
reasonable care and attention. They are
noted in this country for being the most
prolific; and being very docile and easily
tanned, renders pig raising much less hazard
GUS and expensive than with many other
breeds.
"The Berkshire has long been noted for
producing the finest bacon, and we think it
has vet lost none of this long and well
earned reputation. The favor of an ordi-
nary Berkshire ham could be relished, at
any time, by the most fastidious eplcure.
1.-THE Berkshire made their second advent
into the United states ABOUT the year lo0O,
and were received with much more favor
than upon their first. Since then contin-
ued importatioDs have been made, both from
England and Canada, and no race have
been so Iapidly diffused in so short period;
in fact they have found their way into most
eTery part of the Union, and it is remarks-
bic that, while they have been subjected to
every grade of climate, they have lost none
of the peculiarities which alone belong to
the race. The hypothesis on which this
may be reasonably based is the great per
sistency III bresding in one direction, Civ
ing TO I'd m such disLinctiveness of char
screr aIh Constitution which may enable
then - resist the detrimental influences of
div mates. The great power of dis
tine properly established breeds to re-