■Swine 



1821 



Berkshires were imported from Eng'land as early as 1770. 

 Bred pure for many years, they are noted for their prepotency. 

 They are hardy in constitution and active in disposition and are 

 cjood grazers ; in fact, they reach their highest degree of excellence 

 when developed with moderate facility for range. These qualities 

 combined with the superior quality of meat produced, and the 

 tractability of the mature animals, make the breed a favorite with 

 the breeder and the butcher in every section of the country. 



POLAND-CHINA 



The Poland-China is distinctively of American origin developed 

 under ideal American conditions. The foundation stock traces 

 back to old Berkshires and old Bedfordshires imported early in the 

 nineteenth century or earlier. Crossed and recrossed with other 

 types, few families were pure enough in blood to produce even a 

 partial likeness to themselves. The prevailing type was coarse, 

 rough, slow-maturing, spotted with various markings, very prolific 



Fig. 188. Poland China Swine. Bred and Owned by R. F. Seeley, 



Waterloo, N. Y. 



and free from disease but not maturing into marketable pork until 

 three or four years of age. About the middle of the nineteentli 

 century, the breeders of the Miami Valley, Ohio, had succeeded in 

 producing a distinct type, and in the early sixties the Essex and 

 black up-oared Berkshires were crossed with this type, giving the 

 Poland-China quicker maturing and better feeding qualities. 



