THE POLAND-CHINA 493 



These figures are very creditable. It is noteworthy that the per 

 cent of dressed carcass secured by the Michigan station slightly 

 excelled all other breeds at the different stations. 



The character of Poland-China meat has been subject to criti- 

 cism from certain sources during the past few years. The export 

 trade has called for a lean type of bacon, such as is only pro- 

 duced by a lean type of pig, or one that is fed a nitrogenous 

 ration. The Poland-China produces rather more external fat than 

 do most other breeds. This is readily seen in comparing the car- 

 casses of pigs of this breed with those of other breeds. There is 

 more lard, more mechanically separable fat, and a greater thick- 

 ness of surface fat. In a carcass study of the Poland-China and 

 Berkshire made by the writer this was clearly shown. This has 

 also been demonstrated at the Wisconsin station, where the loin 

 fat of the Poland-China was 1.75 inches thick, the back 2.5 inches, 

 and the shoulder 2.75 inches, exceeding in thickness both Berk- 

 shire and Yorkshire. The American trade, however, does not 

 object to this fat, nor is the price paid by the packer any less. 

 So far as the grain and quality of Poland-China meat is con- 

 cerned, when not too fat it compares very favorably with the 

 Chester White and Duroc-Jersey. Fed on a nitrogenous ration, 

 the Poland-China produces a very acceptable carcass for the 

 American market. 



The cross-bred or grade Poland-China is the most popular pig 

 of to-day. Pure-bred sires on common sows furnish the large 

 majority of the porkers which find their way to the great markets 

 of this country. These pigs fatten rapidly, mature early, and the 

 females show more vigor and greater breeding power than the 

 pure-breds. Poland-China boars crossed with Duroc-Jersey, Berk- 

 shire, or Chester White sows produce offspring which feed better 

 and more rapidly than the pure-breds. If Poland-China sows seem 

 to lack in prolificacy, a cross with a boar of one of the other breeds 

 mentioned will increase the size of litter. The writer has also 

 obtained high-class feeding pigs by mating Large Yorkshire boars 

 to Poland-China sows. This cross fed rapidly and carried ample 

 flesh, yet did not become too fat, dressing out a choice carcass. 



The lack of fecundity and prolificacy of the Poland-China has 

 subjected this breed to much criticism of late years. Formerly, 



