Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-11-10
The Berkshire Hog.



This breed seems to carry away the
"sweepstakesp as often as any other,
and It's ability to do so Is due 10 the
perfection to which it has been bred.
10 has certain peculiar marks, and a
breed that unerringly comes true TO
spots in color is indeed worthy TO be
placed In the list of thoroughbreds.
Nov, we can we'll understand that q
solid white hog, like the Suffolk,
Yorkshire or Chester white, will pro-
duce young that are purely white,
and that solid black hog. like the
Essex, will show the same in the lit
ters of pigs but when it is expected
that hog must impress certain spots
on its progeny, and those spots TO be
exactly on certain parts of the body,
We must admit that breeders have
been very skillful with Berkshires.
The breeder has placed a white
spot on the forehead of the Berkshire
and a white spot on each foot, like
stocking and there is, likewise,
white spot on the tuft of the tail.
With these exceptions the body is
black. Is it not wonderful that every
pure Berkshire has exactly these
marks, with no deviation-no more
nor any less-but true, unerring set
OF badges or marks are thus fixed,
and which act as his types of purity
lie is noted for the fine hams he pro-
dnces in preference TO other breeds,
aud fifty years have been spent in de-
veloping him to bis present state of
excellence. The Berkshire is a liv-
ing monument TO the patience, per-
severance and success Of men who
have devoted many years TO his
culture, who have spent whole for
tunes To make him what he is, and
who, many of them, went 70 their
graves unknown. The development
of this breed has added millions OF
dollars 10 the wealth of this country
and Great Britain, not that it is SUI
perior 10 all other breeds, but because
the perfection attained in his success
has been the cause OF renewed inter.
est and pride in every other class Of
stock. Lord Western, WHO interest
ell himself with the Essex, spent his
whole life in their improvement, and,
from Bakewell's efforts, the sheep is
an entirely different animal from his
day.
If special breeders can thus breed
away the imperfcctions of breed
and develop something in its place
totally unlike IL, Is it not an evidence
that every farmer can improve his
stock and make it better and better
every year? Ia fact, at the present
time, farmers have great advantages.
They can begin on the best OF stock,
correct defect there or a fault here.
and We can still have Improvement.
Lord Weston Bakewcll and others
began on 'serubs," and it was long
and dreary time with each of them.
With the success that crowned their
efforts farmers cone eded that the
stock twenty-five years ago was up
to the highest degree of excellence,
but even the best Essex Lord West.
ern ever bred would be rejected TO.
day by breeders, and Bakeweii would
marvel If he was present at an exhi-
bition OF Cotswold or Merino sheep.
We ore = great deal 10 the breeders
OF th65ughbreds, for every improve
ment made by any ole of them Is a
blessing to every farmer in the coun-
try. by their help We are obliterat-
ing the long ,nosed land-pike. and
with their cooperation We are able to
classify all our domestic animals Tor
special purposes, from the horse and
COW down 10 the fowl that lays our
eggs, each into separate duties and
for special purposes. We can now
classify our horses into trotters, run
ners and for draught; the cows for
milk, butter or cheese and from
crosses with the Berkshire We can
produce certain preferences in hogs.
But there IL not an end OF improve
ment yet. The rapid inventions of
mechanics are no more surprising
than are the wonderful improvements
in stock at the present time, and there
Is room for the farmer TO try IS well
as the special breeder.
n.