428 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



183G, -wlicn Ivlr. Muusoii Beach, of Warren County, first introduced tbo Berksbires, 

 wliicli wcro obtained from C. M. Bement, of the Ktato of New York. Other lots of 

 Berkshires continued to flow into the Miami Valley until about 1841. 



The BerkHbiro blood was liberally infused into the stock existing not only in South- 

 western Ohio, but in Kentucky also. Crossing with the Berkshires was almost exclu- 

 sively done until about 1838 or 1839, when Mv. William Nell", of Cincinnati, imported 

 some choice specimens of the Irish Grazier. This breed soon grew into high favor, 

 and, as a consequence, was liberally used in making crosses with the best specimens of 

 the crosses previously made. This intermingling of blood — this crossing of breeds — 

 continued for some time. . In a few years, however, the use of the pure-blooded Berk- 

 shire was entirely discontinued, and there were no further importations made of the 

 Irish Grazier. The breeders of swine in the Miami Valley settled down to the convic- 

 tion that the basis of a good breed of hogs had been established, and that in the future 

 judicious and discriminating breeders could use, and, if necessary, modify the material 

 furnished, so as to meet the highest demands of tlie public. For more than thirty 

 years Jio new blood has been introduced into our breed, and no effort made to obtain 

 a new supply of the blood of either breed previously used. 



While this is true, our breeders have not been indifferent to the further improvement 

 of our breed. tStimulatcd by their success, they have perseveringly aimed to improve 

 what they had been so successful in forming. The best points or qualities have been 

 preserved, and, when practicable, have been made even more excellent. All defective 

 points or undesirable qualities have been corrected or improved by the care, skill, and 

 judgment of our experienced breeders. 



Thus we have a breed, thoroughly established — of fixed characteristics, of fine style, 

 and of unquestioned good qualities, which can be relied upon for the production of a 

 l>rogeny of like qualities and character. 



The following is presented as the characteristics of the foregoing breed : The best 

 specimens have good length, short legs, broad, straight backs, deep sides, flanking well 

 down on the leg, very broad, full, square hams and shoulders, drooping ears, short heads, 

 "wide between the eyes, of spotted or dark color ; are hardy, vigorous, and prolific, and 

 when fat are perfect models all over, pre-eminently combining the excellences of both 

 large and small breeds. 



Chester Whites. — Mr. W. W. Thrasher of Indiana, from the committee 

 on Chester "Whites, submitted the following report: 



The Chester Whites, as a breed, originated in Chester County, Pennsylvania. The 

 first impulse to the improvement of swine in this county was given by the introduc- 

 tion of a pair of fine pigs, brought from Bedfordshire, England, by Captain James Jef- 

 fries, and j)laced upon his farm near the county-seat, in 1818. Some of the enterpris- 

 ing farmers of the neighborhood were encouraged to commence the improvement of 

 their swine ; and by crossing these pigs upon the native white hog of the county, their 

 progeny with the best specimens attainable, and by a course of careful and judicious 

 crossing and selection for many years, the present valuable breed of well-formed, good- 

 sized, easily-fattened, and good bacon-hogs known as Chester Whites was produced 

 and made an established breed. Some twenty-five years ago an attempt was made to 

 introduce into this county the Suffolk and also the Berkshire breeds of swine, and a 

 few of the Chester Whites were crossed with them ; but after a few years' trial both 

 were rejected, not being considered any improvement upon the Chesters. 

 . The following may be given as characteristics of these hogs : Head, short and broad 

 between the eyes ; ears, thin, projecting forward, and lopping at the point ; neck, short 

 and thick ; jowl, large ; body, lengthy and deep ; back, broad ; hams, full and deep ; 

 legs, short and well set under the body for bearing the Aveight; coat, thin, white, and 

 straight ; (if a little wavy it is no objection.) Small tail and no bristles. 



Victorias. — Mr. Charles E. Leland, of New York', from the committee 

 on this breed, made the following report : 



The family of pigs known as Victorias originated with Colonel Frank D. Curtis, 

 Kirby Homestead, Charlton, Saratoga County, New York. They v-^ere made by crossing 

 the Byfield hogs with the native, in which there was a strain of the Grazers. Subse- 

 quent crosses were made with the Yorkshire and Suffolk, the result being a purely 

 white hog of medium size. The name has no significance unless it is intended as a 

 compliment to the English Queen. These pigs, if pure-bred, should all have a direct 

 descent from a sow called Queen Victoria, which may be said to be the mother of the 

 family. She was pronounced by good judges to be almost perfect, and was the winner 

 of a number of first prizes. Breeders in the Eastern States have long felt the need of 

 a medium-sized white hog, with all the good points of the English breeds without 

 their objectionable features, a breed which would mature early, and be covered with a 

 good coat of hair to protect it from the cold in winter and the heat in summer. Colo- 

 nel Curtis began breeding nearly twenty years ago to try .and meet this want. At the 



