Bulletin of the American Berkshire Association, Vol. 1 PDF Download

Author: American Berkshire Association
Publisher: Forgotten Books
ISBN: 9781396124020
Category : Pets
Languages : en
Pages : 38

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Book Description
Excerpt from Bulletin of the American Berkshire Association, Vol. 1: July 1879 The mere Opinion, however, of an unknown writer in a matter of this kind, carries with it comparatively little weight. Without, therefore, attempt ing to enlarge upon the subject by giving my own views and experiences, I beg to call the attention of your readers to a few facts gathered from the val nable treatise on the Hog written by Hon. Thomas Pollard, Commissioner of Agriculture of Virginia. In 1878 Dr. Pollard issued a circular to the swine breeders of his State asking for information on the subject of Hog Raising. Replies were received from many of the best informed citizens in the com monwealth, and men of experience in business of breeding hogs for pork. From Dr. Pollard's summary of these replies we learn that the Berkshires are preferred to breed from by 33 per cent. Of those who replied. The re maining 67 dividing their preferences among four other varieties mentioned and the native stock. We learn further, that 79 per cent. Preferred the Berk shire and its crosses, while others liked various other crosses. Dr. Pollard says, a large majority prefer the Berkshire hogs, particularly the Berkshire boar for crossing on either common sows or on pure breeds of other varieties. Further on, the Dr. Remarks As to the kinds of hogs to raise and breed from, we must have something to say. If we desire to raise hogs to sell for breeding purposes, then we must raise the purest, most highly improved stock. If for pork, a mixed breed or grade will generally besit subserve our purpose. The preference of hog-breeders at this time in this country seems divided between the Berkshire, Essex, and Poland, some few preferring the Chester, and Jersey Red. In England the Suffolk is a very popular breed, some say the most so, though in this Country it has not much popularity. In Virginia, at this time, the Berkshire is undoubtedly the most popular, and appears in my judgment to possess the most good qualities. Gen. John M. Payne, of Lynchburg, Va. In his reply to Dr. Pollard's circular, says A good stock to start with IS all important; nearly half the battle I prefer the pure Berkshire which may justly be regarded as the standard breed of the day. The hogs of this breed are active, hardy and industrious; they mature at an early age and are remarkable for their fine bone and neatness of proportion. The sows are, as a rule, very prolific, and kind mothers; they give a great deal of milk, and the young pigs thrive and grow very rapidly. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.