32 DISEASES OF SWINE 



be left behind in the march of progress. They are, accordingly, 

 going west in large numbers to purchase breeding stock of this 

 larger type. 



There would seem to be just cause to sound a word of warning 

 in this respect, lest the craze for a large hog be carried to such an 

 extreme as to result in eliminating many of the valuable charac- 

 teristics of the breed which have made it the most popular of all 

 American swine breeds for the past three-quarters of a century. 

 Early maturity has long been one of the most commendable quali- 

 ties of the Poland-China. It is doubtful if any other breed will 



Fig. 3. — Poland-China: A double 1913 champion; weight, 765 pounds. 



finish off as quickly or as easily as the Poland-China. This is 

 especially true when placed on full feed of corn. This is a quality 

 that has long made them popular with farmer and packer alike, 

 and it would be regretable if this excellent characteristic should 

 be lost through the overdeveloped desire for a large hog type. 



This breed is an easy keeper and a good feeder. The cross 

 with Irish Graziers in the late 30's imparted to this breed excel- 

 lent grazing qualities, and they thrive well on an open pasture as 

 well as in close feed lots. They do especially well on the low-lying 

 pastures of the Corn Belt. On the rough hilly fields of the eastern 

 United States and New England this breed does not do so well. 



