486 THE PIG 



known in Maryland, Virginia, or Pennsylvania, or the Bedford or 

 Parkinson hog. Used on the Russian and Byfield crosses the 

 Big China produced very superior feeders and much improved 

 the character of Miami Valley pigs, resulting in what became 

 widely and favorably known as the Warren County hog. Between 

 1816 and 1835 the swine industry of southwestern Ohio had a 

 great impetus, due to the beneficial effects of this cross. 



The Berkshire as an element in Poland-China evolution first 

 attracted attention in 1835, when Munson Beach of Lebanon, 

 Warren County, introduced some pigs of this breed from New 

 York State. These Berkshires had erect ears, were stylish in 

 appearance, and at once met with much favor. Others soon in- 

 troduced Berkshires, and up to 1842 they were extensively used 

 on the Miami Valley pigs. The Berkshire gave more symmetry, 

 greater activity, more quality, and the black color to the Warren 

 County hog. 



The Irish Grazier as a factor in Poland-China history was in- 

 troduced into Warren County by William Neff of Cincinnati, who 

 imported from Ireland in the fall of 1839. This was a white, 

 thinly-haired hog, varying somewhat in size and type. The Neff 

 stock had an erect ear, a long body with superior back, excellent 

 legs, and very fine hams. For several years Irish Grazier stock 

 was mingled with the Miami Valley mixture, but the pure-bred 

 stock soon became extinct, not, however, until it had assisted in 

 the improvement of the Warren County hog. Mr. Cephas Hol- 

 loway, who from 18 13 for very many years lived in the Shaker 

 community at Union Village, stated that " the two breeds — the 

 Berkshires and Irish Graziers — were extensively used in mak- 

 ing crosses by our best breeders of swine in Warren, Butler, 

 Hamilton, Clinton, and Montgomery counties." In 187 1 Mr. 

 Tytus, an extensive pork packer from 1836 to i860, said, "The 

 Warren County breed was greatly improved by crossing with 

 the Berkshire and Irish Grazier." From 1845, at least, up to 

 the present time, it is claimed, no foreign blood has been used 

 in the development of the Warren County pig, or what later 

 became known as the Poland-China. 



The adoption of the name Poland-China has an important his- 

 tory. The name "Poland "or " Poland and China ' had been given 



