28 - A MANUAL ON THE HOG. 



This breed originated in Butler and Warren counties, 

 Ohio. The common stock of those counties were used as 

 the basis upon which various crosses were made with hogs 

 imported from different parts of the Eastern continent. 

 From the best authentic accounts, it seems that the im- 

 provement commenced previous to 1816, by the introduc- 

 tion of the Russian and Byfield breeds, which were crossed 

 upon the common bristled breed of the country. 



In 1816, the cross of k * Big China" was made, and these 

 cross breeds carefully improved, until about 1835, when 

 an infusion of Berkshire blood was made. This continued 

 for four or five years, when the Irish Grazier was ingrafted 

 upon the cross breed already formed. 



No new blood was introduced after the cross of the Irish 

 Grazier, but great care taken to improve the breed thus 

 formed, by careful selection, in both sexes, of those having 

 the desired form and qualities best developed. These pe- 

 culiarities have been " bred to" until now, after an exist- 

 ence of more than thirty years, the breed seems to be so 

 thoroughly established as to transmit, with uniformity, its 

 characteristic type to its offspring. 



The National Swine Breeders' Association adopted Jthe 

 following as the characteristics of the Poland China, or 

 "Magie," breed in its purity: "The best specimens have 

 good length, short legs ; broad, straight backs ; deep sides, 

 flanking well down on the leg ; very broad, full, square 

 hams and shoulders ; drooping ears ; short heads, wide be- 

 tween the eyes, of spotted or dark color ; are hardy, vig- 

 orous, and prolific, and, when fat, are perfect models all 

 over, *pre-eminently combining the excellencies of both 

 large and small breeds." 



The Poland China is very popular in the West, and has 

 given general satisfaction, so far as they have been tried in 

 this State. It is a valuable addition to our list of breeds, 

 and is competing very successfully with the Berkshires in 

 popular favor wherever it has been introduced. 



