1)8 STATE BOARD OF AGKICULTUEE. 



wings, I should say vrithout hesitation it was the leaf or gall form of the Grape 

 Phylloxera, or grape-vine pest of France. 



Mr. Julius Anderson of Otsego then read the following essay, entitled 



BREEDING AXD FEEDIN^G SWINE. 

 Essay by J. A. Anderson of Otsego, read at the Farmer'^s Institute. 



Mk. President and Gentlemen : In writing upon the topic which I have 

 chosen, neither my time nor ability will admit of my attempting an elaborate 

 discussion of so important a subject, and mentioning all the points that are 

 worthy of notice, — which others more learned and experienced might present 

 and make interesting to you, — therefore I shall only give my own ideas, as best 

 I can, which I have gathered from experience and observation ; and if by so 

 doing I can induce any brother farmer to change his course in this matter, and 

 act in future more in keeping with his own best interests and the dignity of our 

 calling, my object will have been fully accomplished. 



In my opinion there is no subject of more vital importance to the farmers of 

 Michigan than that of breeding and feeding swine ; and at the same time there 

 is none about which the majority of farmers have manifested greater stupidity 

 and carelessness. But some, and I may say many, are beginning to see and 

 appreciate its importance, and are comparing the unsatisfactory results of their 

 own efforts in pork-raising with the paying, and therefore satisfactory experience 

 of their neighbors ; and (with the exception of a certain class who always claim 

 that the way my fatlier and grandfatlicr did is the lest way) they are coming to 

 the conclusion that there is, after all, a difference in breeds not wholly attrib- 

 utable to the swill-pail ; and not only a difference in breeds, but a something 

 about the management and feeding of swine that they do not understand, which 

 produces such widely varying results. Therefore a spirit of inquiry into the real 

 causes is manifested, and it betokens good. 



That success depends much upon proper breeding, no sensible man will dis- 

 pute. The successful breeder seeks first for animals of good form and good 

 constitution. He also looks to a clear pedigree. In the selection of a breed, 

 many circumstances, liis associations, and his taste control him largely. But 

 for profit, a breed which matures early, and which will yield the largest amount 

 of fine pork at a given age and from a given amount of feed, must take the 

 preference. These points I had in view in making a selection for my own use, 

 and in my judgment the Poland China possesses these qualities to a higher 

 degree than any other known breed. At all events, I have never seen cause to 

 regret my choice. That much has been, and may still be done in the improve- 

 ment of swine, by crossing the native and mixed breeds with the pure, there is 

 no room for doubt, but this should be done in all cases by the use of the thor- 

 oughbred male. A serious objection, however, to mixed breeding, is a tendency 

 to unevenness in breeding. The most satisfactory results may be attained, and 

 with the greatest degree of certainty, by beginning with thoroughbreds, and then 

 keeping strictly Avithin the breed, always avoiding the coupling of near relations. 

 This last suggestion is based upon the principle that every individual has its 

 excellencies and defects, and (as Prof. Jones of Iowa says) ''near relations are 

 likely to possess the same excellencies and defects, and by coupling such rela- 

 tions both excellencies and defects are aggravated and intensified." Therefore 

 the defects may be so intensified as to destroy the utility of the product again. 

 Breed together anim als of like character. The product will be like the parents : 



