28 DISEASES OF SWINE 



veloped, and this change in color is largely due to the popularity 

 of the Corwin boar. For many years it has been more or less of 

 an open secret among Poland-China breeders that the Corwin boar 

 was not a full-blooded Poland-China. In fact, it is generally ad- 

 mitted that he was possessed of Berkshire blood, and it is due 

 to this late cross with the Berkshire that the black color of the 

 present-day Poland-China is due. This statement is distinctly at 

 variance with the published histories of the breed, as set forth by 

 other authorities, but coincides with the views of the leading breed- 

 ers of the Poland to-day, and especially the older breeders, who 

 can remember distinctly when the Poland-China was a white or 

 spotted hog. 



In the fall of 1839 William Neff, of Cincinnati, imported some 

 hogs from Ireland which were known as Irish Graziers. These 

 were crossed with the then prevaihng breed, with marked improve- 

 ment in style and grazing qualities, as well as hardiness and rapid 

 maturity. This Irish Grazier stock merged with the hogs of the 

 Miami Valley and became extinct in the early 40's, but not until 

 it had had a most beneficial effect upon the development of the 

 new breed which was destined to become the most popular in the 

 United States. 



Since that time the development of the breed has been largely 

 through selection and careful breeding. The majority of authori- 

 ties claim that there has been no new blood introduced into the 

 Poland-China since 1845. With this statement I must beg to 

 differ, as I think Berkshire blood was again brought in with the 

 Corwin boar as above explained. With this exception, however, 

 the breed of to-day is largely developed by careful selective breed- 

 ing and elimination of the less desirable animals. There has 

 been a steady improvement and increase in desirability of appear- 

 ance, as can be seen by comparison of prize winners of 1866 and 

 1913. 



Improvers of the Poland-China. — As already stated, no one 

 man can claim the honor of being the originator of the Poland- 

 China hog. Many men have come forth with the claim that they 

 are the "original Poland-China man," but none have been able to 

 offer convincing proof in substantiation of their claims. The 

 Shakers of Union Village are undoubtedly the most worthy of 



