SWINE. 371 



POLAND CHINAS. 



THE Poland China breed seems to divide the honors with the Berkshires at all the fairs 

 in the great corn -growing States ; it being in many cases the most numerously repre 

 sented of all the breeds. There has been much controversy concerning the origin of 

 this breed of swine, which is variously known as the Poland China, Magie, Warren County, 

 Butler County, and by some the Miami County breed. In discussing this point, a high 

 American authority says: 



&quot; It unquestionably originated in the Miami Valley of Southern Ohio, and was the result 

 of crossing several distinct breeds, and of long-continued selection with a view to producing 

 great fattening qualities and early maturity, as well as great size; and while there is still a 

 considerable lack of uniformity, it has clearly become an established breed. The color is 

 black, with irregular white spots, the black largely predominating; and some of them with 

 white markings, almost identical with those of the modern Berkshire a circumstance which 

 sometimes leads to a suspicion of a recent Berkshire cross. But this suspicion is by no 

 means warranted by the facts, as some of the purest-bred specimens we have ever known 

 were so marked. 



As a breed, they are larger than the Berkshire, more quiet and sluggish in their move 

 ments, heavier in the jowl and flank, and do not stand up so firmly upon their feet. In some 

 cases the ears are rather large and pendulous, but in the herds of a majority of good breeders 

 of to-day, the ears, while always drooping, will be found quite small and thin. The head 

 and snout is shaped much like those of the best-bred Berkshires, although there is perhaps 

 more of the &quot; dish-face &quot; tendency in the latter than in the former. This is the popular breed 

 among general farmers all over the West, and its advocates claim that its quiet and contented 

 disposition make it the best breed in the world for converting corn into pork and lard.&quot; 



The National Swine Breeder s Convention, after a full and free discussion of the subject, 

 decided upon the present name, Poland China, by which this breed is commonly known and 

 accepted throughout the country, it having several years since become an established breed. 

 It is claimed by some that for more than thirty years no new blood has been introduced into 

 this breed, and that no effort has been made to obtain a new supply of the blood of breeds 

 from which it originated, while at the same time efforts have been made towards its improve 

 ment by careful selection in breeding. 



The swine are strong and hardy, fatten well, and at ten or twelve months will sometimes 

 dress 350 pounds. They will weigh from 450 to 700 pounds when from eighteen to twenty 

 months old, under proper management, hogs having been raised that weighed at maturity 900 

 pounds or more. 



Description. The Poland Chinas have long, deep bodies, broad, straight backs; 

 large, square hams and shoulders; short heads, wide between the eyes, drooping ears; thick 

 necks and large jowls; short, well set legs; hair fine. In color they are spotted or dark; the 

 black with small white spots scattered more or less over the body are considered the most 

 desirable. They are naturally very docile, and make excellent mothers. In fact, they seem 

 to combine the good qualities of both large and small breeds. 



