The semi-weekly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1879-1882, 1881-11-07
FARM NOTES
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TIE BERKSHIRE HoG. - This
breed seems to carry away the "sweer-
stakes" as often as any other, and its
ability to do SO is due to the perfsc-
ton to which it is bred. Il has
certain peculiar marks, and breed
that unerringly comes true to spots
10 solsr is indeed worthy to be placed
on the list Of thoroughbreds. Now
We can we'll understand that q solid
white, like the Suffolk, Yorkshire or
Chester White, will produce young
that are purely white and that solid
black hog, like the Essex, will show
the. same in the litters of pigs; but
when it is expected that hog must
impress certain spots on its progeny,
and those spots to be exactly on GER
tain parts Of the body, We must admit
that breeders have been very skiilful
with Berkshires.
The breeder has placed a white
spot on the forehead of the Berkshire
and . white spot on each foot, like
stocking, and there is likewise white
spot on the TAFT 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 less
but true unerring set of badges
or marks are thus fixed, and which
act as his types of purity? He is
noted for the fne hams he produces
10 preference to other breeds, and
fifty years have been spent in develop
ing him to his present state of excel
lence. The Berkshire is o living
monument to the patience, persever-
ance and success Of men who have
devoted many years to his culture,
who have spent whole fortunes to
make him what he is, and who many
ofthem went to their graves unknown.
The development of this breed has
added millions of dollars to the
wealth Of this country and Great
Britain, not that it is superior to all
other breeds, but because the perfec-
tion attained in his success has been
the cause Of renewed interest and
pride in every other class Of stock.
Lord Western who interested him
self with the Essex, spent his whole
life in their improvement and, from
Bakewell's efforts, the sheep is entire
ly different animal from his day.
IF Especial breeders can thus breed
away the imperfections Of breed
and develop something in its place
totally unlike it, is it not an evidence
that every farmer can improve his
stock and make it better and better
every year? In fact at the present
time, farmers have great advantages.
They can begin on the best Of stock,
correct defect there or fault here
and we can still have Improvement.
Lord Weston Bakewell and others
began on "scrubs," and it was a long
and dreary time with each of them.
With the success that crowned their
efforts farmer conceded that the stock
twenty-five years ago was up to the
highest degree Of excellence, but
even the best Essex Lord Western
ever bred would be rejected to-day by
breeders, and Bakewell would marvel
II he was present at AZ exhibition of
Cotswold or Merino sheep. We owe
Q great deal to the breeders Of thor
oughbreds for every improvement
made BY any Of them is q blessing to
every farmer 10 the country. BY
their help we obliterated the long.
nosed, land-pike, and With their Cos
operation We are able to classify oh
our domestic animals for special pur-
poses, from the horse and COWS down
TO the fowl that lays the eggs each
into seperate duties and for special
purposes. We can now classify our
horses into trotters, runners and for
draught, the COWS for milk, butter or
for cheese, and from CROSSES with the
Berkshire we can produce certain
preferences in hogs. But there is
not an end Of improvement yet.
The rapid inventions Of mechanics
are no more surprising than are thu
wonderful Improvements in stock at
the present time and there is room
for the farmer to try as well as the