Swine. 127 



high fecundity, increased milk-giving, larger propor- 

 tion of lean meat to total weight and strong constitu- 

 tions could have been retained. 



The next step in the discussion is to consider how 

 these changes in form, color and fecundity were 

 brought about, Poland-Chinas, on account of their 

 origin had in their inherited constitution numerous 

 dominant and atavic characters of nearly pure original 

 types ; and many combinations of these new char- 

 acteristics produced by the hybridizing were pos- 

 sible. Tn the seventies a crusade was begun among 

 meat stock leaders for the early maturing, rectangular, 

 short-legged, compact, thick-meated types of hogs, cat- 

 tle and sheep, and as one looks back little was said 

 about fecundity, milk-giving capacity, longevity or 

 disease- resisting power. The score card was incom- 

 plete, narrow and only a one-sided result could be ex- 

 pected. Swine responded the most rapidly and the Po- 

 land-Chinas, being a hybrid breed and therefore full 

 of variations, were especially susceptible to rapid 

 change. Breeders could choose by appearance in 

 changing to-the types mentioned. Ami while observing 

 men had for a long time more or less clearly realized 

 that chunky fat females will not average high in fecun- 

 dity, they bred on in extreme eagerness to excrl each 

 other in producing these forms plain to be discerned 

 by mere inspection, pleasing to the eye, "demanded by 

 the trade/' and leaders in getting ribbons at one-sided 

 shows. 



Cheap, rich foods and especially corn had here a 

 profound influence. Certain individual hogs were 

 especially responsive to the rich fatness of a clover and 

 corn diet and, developing early into the breeder's ideal 

 of fatness and rectangular beauty, these types were 

 chosen out of the bunch and retained for breeders. 

 Since only the few out of many were necessary to be- 

 come dominant in the future herds those which especi- 

 ally responded to strong feeding and therefore became 

 heads of herds soon dominated the blood of the breed. 



