490 



THE PIG 



hams being thick for the entire length from top to bottom, with 

 a full, deep twist between. The legs are shorter with this breed 

 than with some others, but too refined a bone and not the strongest 

 of pasterns are common. When heavily fed and made to carry 

 much weight for the age, the feet are frequently poorly supported 

 at the toes. Taking the entire form into consideration, no breed 

 shows such compactness and great meat-producing capacity on 

 such short legs as does the Poland-China. Its most characteristic 

 features to the onlooker are the color, straight nose, droopy ear, 

 very broad and curved back, superior hams, and short legs. 



The color of the Poland-China pig has undergone something of 

 an evolution. Originally the use of white pigs formed a leading 

 feature in the development of the breed, but the advent of Berk- 

 shire blood caused a change to a darker type. Thirty years 

 ago large white or sandy markings were common on the body. 

 Twenty-five years ago many "spotted" pigs were registered in 

 the Oliio Poland-China Record, although at this time black pigs 

 with white points were receiving special attention. The older 

 breeders were attached to the lighter colors, but the solid black 

 color with white feet, tail, and face met with show-ring favor 

 and attained a popularity which has held up to date, although 

 white elsewhere argues no impurity of blood. This uniform color 

 marking is said to be largely due to the influence of the boar 

 Tom Corwin 2d 2037. 



The size of the Poland-China pig classes it among the middle- 

 weight breeds. Formerly very large weights were attained, but 

 the modern demand for a more refined and smaller market type 

 has caused the development of less scale. Pigs fed for market 

 will easily attain 200 pounds at six months, while 250 pounds is 

 not a rare weight with good feeders. Boars at one year old should 

 weigh about 300 pounds, and sows 250 to 275. At full maturity 

 boars should easily weigh 500 pounds and sows 400 pounds in 

 breeding form. Among some of the well-known Poland-China 

 boars Chief I Know 11992 weighed 650 pounds, Model Boy 

 13959 650 pounds, and Lookout 32451 700 pounds in breeding 

 form at maturity. 



The adaptability of the Poland-China to environment is at 

 least medium. On the lower lying lands within the corn belt 



