ss; and in a similar manner the breeder of pigs
has to consider and to produce pigs of the form, size, and colour which
are most in demand. Further if, as confidently alleged, there is a
preference in some districts for pork from pigs of a certain colour,
then the butcher naturally offers a higher price for pigs of that colour
which most fully satisfy the fancies of his customers, and thus we find
a similarity of form and colour in the pigs of various districts.

As to the origin of these parti-coloured pigs, the explanation offered
is that even in pre-railway times there was a certain amount of
interchange of the different local breeds of stock. This would be
affected in various ways, which need not be specified.

At the present time we have several defined and distinct breeds of pigs
which have secured recognition at our principal agricultural shows.
Indeed it may be claimed that the exhibitions of live stock which have
become so general in all parts of the country have been one of the chief
factors in fixing to a certain extent the type and character of certain
local breeds. Within the memory of the present writer the classification
of pigs at our principal shows was of a very simple character; it
consisted of classes for pigs of a white colour and for pigs of any
other colour. There was no attempt at any definition as to size, form,
and quality of the pigs. These points were left entirely to the judges,
who naturally were led to favour pigs of the type which they bred. There
was thus a greater amount of uncertainty as to the success of an
exhibitor's stock than at the present time. This uncertainty--save as to
the members of the Show Committees or their friends--was increased by
the unfair system of withholding from the knowledge of the average
exhibitor the names of those selected to judge.

The necessity of some definition, if only of colour, quickly became
obvious. At first classes were established for pigs of certain colours;
then the prizes were offered for pigs of certain breeds, which were more
or less loosely defined. Now at the chief shows the pigs exhibited in
the various classes must be qualified for entry in the herd books of the
particular breeds.

At the Royal Agricultural Shows there have been classes for pigs of the
Large White, Middle White, Berkshire, Tamworth, Large Black and
Lincolnshire Curly Coated breeds; whilst for the next show classes for
pigs of the so-called Gloucestershire Old Spots b