PURE BERKSHIRE PIGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5944, 4 December 1880, Page 6

PURE BERKSHIRE PIGS.

[IT.UM TIIK "AUCKLAND WKKKLY NEWS.' , ] Much lias been saiil and written of late about- pigs, the notoriety of the subject being caused by a foolish interference with the appearance of certainly the best bred boar pig in the colony. Uertie Savcrna lias, through this blundering, obtained a more wide fame, perhaps than even his merits would have commanded. If this lie so his owner will have no cause to re-ret the chafi' and little annoyance to which he has been recently subject. There is not a hamlet in the colony now but its inmates have heard, through telegrams or otherwise, of the Berkshire boar, Bertie Saverna, and not a few papers in all parts of the colony have drawn pointed attention to the animal by commenting upon the fiasco at the late exhibition at Kllerslie. Mis owner .should embrace the present opportunity of making known through all the leading papers In the colony 'where the progeny of this celebrated animal ' can be olitained. In the following letters arc some particulars of the high-class pip; which Mr. Hurst is now hrcedin" from. It will be seen by the letter-from Mr. Ut-W-r Humfrey, of k'ingstone Farm. Herks, that it was only after considerable difficulty that Bertie Saverna was allowed to leave" England. However, the pig is now here, anil Mr. Hurst lias done a public service in hitro liaing such superior animals, ami deserves equal recognition on that account, as d< i those wh.i introduce superior sheep or pure-bred Shorthorns or Herefords. Wellbred pigs i> a clans of stock that is within the rcaJh .if all classes of settlers, while the high price ■■(' some of the fancy strains of Slim-thorn b!o-id place these animals bcvoml the reach of the majority of settlers. Systematic elibrts should also be made to keep the breed pun.-, now that we possess some ..f the linest animals of the porcine tribe obtainable in liritain. The letters published below are well worthy of perusal by those interested in the development of the agricultural and •■tln.T resources of the country of our adoption : -

To TIIK kiutok. Sir.—To atloid the farming public and others an idea of the estimation in which the breeder held my pig Bertie Saverna, I would be glad if you would publish the enclosed letter from him in answer to ouo from myself, ile had absolutely declined to sell the'nii: to my agent. Mr. Walton, presuming tiiat the pig would remain in Kng-land.--l am. ,Vc.. ' W. .1. UriisT. X.i , ..—1 have now a few for sale, either boar or sow, at auction rates.

Auckland, I Iccembcr •_>. ISSO. Kingst.me Farm. Thrivi-nlmm, IVrks. October •Jiitli, li7S. Sir.■- The knowledge that the \<k Hertie Saverna o.uld nut be shown against the next liest I ran send to London next .hilv. certahilv weighs with me. Mr. Walton iliil not sava word as'to New Zealand. I was cauaht dormant at the Koval at Taunton in that way, and had to take second prize with own brother to my customer's pig. which had been forced on wnndcrfnilv. and e.-ircred against me. I only mention this that v<m mat- excuse mi- letter to Mr! Walton. 1 very seldom'refuse to "price an animal, ami when obliged :o. 1 do it most unwillingly. The pk-lias a tht.nm',-11 good i-onstitiition to stand th'e voyage ami I have m> doubt he would gn ami do mo credit there. Heisd.-.-cemkil from several l!nyil and other winner*which «il! Iw; mriitiiui-it in a full pedisrec. The price" 10 guineas, shrdl include the carriage to Vaddin-tnuami u crate. This, if you take the pig, I will see made exactly as rci|iiii-.-d (we make them at home). I could send the l.ristot prize rard .villi him. and some packets of very safe medicine, and he shall be in the best possible state of health to start. — Vciure very truly, [Itßr.K llt-:,iixi:v. \V. .1. Hurst. Ksu..

! The following is a description of the peili- • L'ree i.f tiie purchase which .Mr. Hurst has made : — bkktii: «tvi:its.v. A 1"..,-rkshire Iwar sold I.i Mr. V>. .1. Hurst on XoviMU>>er 11. IS7S. by Mr. Holier lluiufrvr. Jiertic Saverna. was farrowed on July 111. ISri. l..eiit.::.:» : .t .-«en, ; .y O 3T.4... v i Mnitliereen. , w:.ilcsmit!i - -No. 40411. !>»,„ I (Merestaim MilM oiirt "i {-Mr. FreeganVs '"""" /ronvtier -J ohHavourite did -iawrnaka was the sire of many a winner at the Sn.ithtield and other shows. Lung Itange was 9rst prize-taker at the liiiyal, at Manchester, and sire ot th.; noted Sweet Seventeen family. Smithereen w-as the sire of I'ulcliritmW, Winiienucre, freemason, &c .Merestom.- was descended from Hillside Damsel, the winner of six prizes, and so younger sister to Hillsmere, the winner of seven prizes. Merestone's dam was a granddaughter of linyal Oak. tirst prize-taker at the Royal .show at Oxford, and six other prizes V.crtie Savema was first vrize-taker at the ltoyal Agricultural >uuw at Jiristol. IS7S. Is a Berkshire sow. bred by Sir. A. fiarfit Scothern, Lincoln, Knglauil. and sold to Mr. W. .1. Hurst on December 19, IS7S. she was fan-owed January '-I, sire. The Nigger : dam. Cherry, by Yo-yo : g (lain, Kxquisite li, by Young sambo; gg dam," Eicmisite, imrehascit from the Kev. Arthur bailey. The above sow was one of the first pen of threo sow pigs under six mouths old at the meeting of the Royal Agricultural .Show, hold in Bristol, and own sister, but of a. vouiigcr litter, to the first prize pig in tho sow class at ihe same show. This sow was served by King Cole o October 22,1578, ami is uow in farrow to him.