^6 SWINE IN AMERICA 



two or three counties and was, therefore, quite limited, 

 tlie demand was met by shipment from speculators and 

 others of almost any sort of white pigs that could be 

 found, especially if the pigs had large ears. Nonde- 

 scripts of this kind were distributed over the country as 

 pure-bred Chester Whites, and in consequence the repu- 

 tation of the breed received a backset, from which it has 

 never fully recovered. A few of the original breeders 

 kept some of the pure stock, persevering in its breeding 

 and improvement until now they have better Chesters 

 than were known in the earlier days, and the demand for 

 and appreciation of them is steady. 



Soon after the close of the Civil war some northern 

 Ohio men began crossing the Chester county hogs on 

 stock found in their locality, and the descendants of these 

 are now recognized as a breed somewhat distinct from 

 the others and designated as the "Ohio Improved 

 Chester," or more briefly as the "O. I. C." swine. In a 

 general way, these are not now essentially different from 

 the swine descended wholly from the Chester county 

 stock, but it may be that the best of them have slightly 

 more compactness and a less lubberly style, fatten more 

 quickly, and reproduce themselves with equal certainty. 

 At the same time, only the man who had reared a given 

 animal could from its appearance alone be positive as to 

 which family of Chesters it belonged. There are many 

 high-class individuals in both, while, as in all other 

 breeds, some are unworthy of propagation. 



The Chesters of either family are appropriately classed 

 among the largest swine known. The ordinary weights 



