Chapter LX. 



POLAND-CHINAS. 



The Poland-China breed is one distinctively American in origin and 

 type, originating chiefly in Warren and Butler counties, Ohio, where 

 the type was soon fixed by the enterprising breeders of that section. 

 It became known as a breed locally under various names such as the 

 "Warren County Hog" and the ''Big Spotted" about 1835 to 1840; 

 but the now firmly established name, "Poland-China," was first offi- 

 cially adopted by the National Swine Breeders' Convention, held at 

 Indianapolis, Ind. , in 1872. 



The Big Chinas large white hogs with sandy spots were taken 

 to Warren county in 1816; the Berkshires were introduced about 1830; 

 the Irish Graziers white hogs with sandy eye-spots about 1839; and 

 the Byfields which are said to resemble the Chinas in form about the 

 same time. From a judicious blending of these different breeds upon 

 a basis of the best "native" hogs, supposed to have descended largely 

 from original Poland stock, brought in by early settlers from Germany, 

 we have the present Poland-China breed. 



Improvement of the breed has been largely the result of private in- 

 dividual enterprise and skill, Mr. A. C. Moore, now of Canton, 111., and 

 Mr. D. M. Magie, of Oxford, Ohio, being especially deserving of notice 

 in this connection. So much, indeed, have their labors been appreciated, 

 that persistent attempts have been made by respective friends of these 

 two gentlemen to name the breed "Moore" or "Magie," instead of 

 Poland-China; fortunately, however, the name is too firmly settled to 

 admit of change for reasons of a personal nature, and the friends of 

 these prominent breeders must be content with simple credit for their 

 recognized efficient work. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Color black and white spotted, sometimes black, sometimes white 

 predominating; size large, mature hogs weighing from 600 to 750 pounds, 

 and shoats at eight or nine months weighing upwards of 250 pounds. 

 The nose is medium, face neatly dished, head small in proportion to 

 body, with thin, drooping ("lop") ears and full, heavy jowl. The neck 

 is short, back straight, shoulders deep, girth large, ribs well arched, 

 loins full and wide, hams very heavy and legs short, with good-sized, 

 strong bone. In some specimens the hair is decidedly curly, but in a 



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