520 



THE PIG 



The adaptability of the Victoria is to the middle West where 

 good pasture is provided and plenty of grain always available for 

 finishing. 



The Victoria as a feeder has not been extensively tried. Mr. 

 Davis, the originator, fed and showed these pigs with much suc- 

 cess for many years, beginning with local fairs in Indiana and 

 Illinois in 1878. From observations by the writer, however, no 

 special advantage seems to exist in the pigs of this breed as 

 feeders. In fact it may be questioned if the Victoria will feed 

 equal to the standard, popular breeds of the present day. 



The quality of Victoria pork will rank well among other breeds. 

 At the American Fat Stock Show at Chicago the breed has 

 killed out well in the carcass tests. In 1882 at this show the 

 prizes for the best carcasses of swine were awarded on Victorias 

 exhibited by Scheidt & Davis of Indiana. 



The cross-bred or grade Victoria pig is not well tried in the 

 American feed yard and its value is not commonly known. The 

 breed is not yet well suited to crossing with pure-breds, owing 

 to its own comparatively recent origin, but the grade should sell 

 satisfactorily on the market. 



The breeding qualities of the Victoria are very good and they 

 produce fair-sized litters, in fact the claim is made that large 

 litters are common. 



A special argument in behalf of the Victoria has been that as 

 a white breed it is not so susceptible to skin disease, such as sun- 

 burn, mange, itch, etc., as are other white breeds, especially in the 

 South and Southwest. 



The promotion of the Victoria pig is championed by the Vic- 

 toria Swine Breeders' Association, organized in Indiana in 1886. 

 In 1887 the first volume of the Victoria Swine Record was 

 issued, containing 103 registrations. 



The distribution of the Victoria pig is mainly in Indiana, Ohio, 

 and Illinois, though herds also exist in various other Mississippi 

 Valley states in a small way. The breed is not growing rapidly 

 in public favor and is shown but little at live-stock shows and 

 agricultural fairs. 



