726 SWINE 



ago large white or sandy markings were common on the body. 

 Twenty-five years ago many "spotted" pigs were registered in 

 the " Ohio Poland-China Record," although at this time black 

 pigs with white points were receiving special attention. The older 

 breeders were attached to the lighter colors, but the solid-black 

 color with white feet, tail, and face met with show-ring favor and 

 attained a popularity which has held up to date, although white 

 elsewhere argues no impurity of blood. This uniform color mark- 

 ing is said to be largely due to the influence of the boar Tom 

 Corwin 2d 2037. 



The size of the Poland-China classes it among the large or 

 middle-weight breeds, according to type. In 1875, in the early 

 days of the breed, very large weights were attained, but the mod- 

 ern demand for a more refined and smaller market type turned 

 the tide toward a pig of less scale and earlier maturity. As already 

 noted, however, a reaction has become well established, so that 

 there is a large constituency of breeders of the big-type Poland- 

 China. Pigs of the medium type, fed for market, will readily 

 attain 200 pounds at six months, while 250 pounds is not uncom- 

 mon with good feeders. Boars at one year old should weigh about 

 300 pounds and sows 250 to 275 pounds. At full maturity boars 

 should weigh about 500 pounds and sows 400 pounds in breeding 

 form. The big-type pig shows greater scale in every way, is 

 coarser in bone and hair, and at maturity is of large size and 

 heavy weight. Boars at one year old may weigh fully 400 pounds 

 and at maturity about 800 pounds or more when in good condi- 

 tion. A leaflet of the Standard Poland-China Association states 

 that from the point of scale the Poland-China excels all other 

 breeds. "It is a common occurrence to see boars at maturity 

 weigh 900 to 1 1 20 pounds and sows 550 to 850 pounds, and 

 several still larger." It is hardly a conservative statement, how- 

 ever, to state that such weights are " common." They are rather 

 remarkably exceptional. Among well-known boars of the medium 

 type, Chief I Know 11992 and Model Boy 13959 eacn weighed 

 650 pounds and Lookout 32451 some 700 pounds in breeding 

 condition. The big type calls for much heavier figures, and the 

 following weights are reported as applied to this kind : Grand 

 Master 67666 weighed 1 1 20 pounds on the Iowa State Fair grounds 



