DEVELOPMENT OF THE BREEDS 95 



numbers of high-class boars of various breeds, importing 

 and distributing them among the farmers. 



At this time one of the most prominent breeders of 

 Poland-China swine was John Harkrader of Warren 

 County. Another man of considerable influence, but more 

 along the lines of showing and advertising, was David 

 Magie. The latter's particular stronghold was the show 

 ring. He also bred Poland-Chinas, but bought or bor- 

 rowed a good many of his individuals for the show from 

 the herd of Mr. Harkrader. He was a past-master in de- 

 veloping and showing a herd to the best advantage. To 

 him probably may first be accredited the art of washing 

 hogs before being taken to the show ring. This was at 

 the time a trade secret of his, and gave the impression 

 that his hogs were much better bred and much better in 

 quality. Consequently he established a great reputation 

 and sold a great many hogs. Furthermore, on this ac- 

 count an attempt was made to call this particular new 

 breed of hogs the Magie Hog. 



At the convention of swine breeders which was held at 

 Springfield, Illinois, in 1870, this name was agreed upon, 

 but some breeders wanted the name of Miami Valley 

 adopted, which should indicate the point of origin of the 

 breed. Two years later, in 1872, when the convention of 

 swine breeders was held at Indianapolis, another effort 

 was made to adopt the name of Miami Valley, but the 

 influence of the western breeders prevailed and the name 

 of Poland-China was adopted. While the Poland hog and 

 the China hog were used in the development of this breed, 

 it cannot be said that they were any more prominent 

 than many other so-called breeds or types that were used. 

 When first established the Poland-China breed was a 

 large spotted hog, rapid growing and of good quality. Be- 



