SWINB. 403 



were no further importations made of tlie Irish Grazier. The breeders 

 of swine in the Miami Valley settled down to the conviction that the 

 basis of a good breed of hogs had been established, and that in the fu- 

 ture judicious and discriminating breeders could use, and if necessary 

 modify, the material furnished, so as to meet the highest demands of 

 public. For more than thirty years no new blood has been introduced 

 into our breed, and no effort made to obtain a new supply of the blood 

 of either breed previously used. 



While this is true, our breeders have not been indifferent to the fur- 

 ther improvement of our breed. Stimulated by their success, they have 

 perseveringly aimed to improve what they have been so successful in 

 forming. The best points or qualities have been preserved, and, where 

 practicable, have been made even more excellent. All defective points 

 or undesirable qualities have been corrected or improved by the care, 

 skill, and judgment of our experienced breeders. 



Thus, we have a breed thoroughly established, or fixed characteristics, 

 of fine style, and unquestioned good qualities, which can be relied upon 

 for the production of a progeny of like qualities and character. 



Characteristics. 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 

 between the eyes, of spotted or dark color; are hardy, vigorous, and 

 ■Drolific, and when fat are perfect models all over, pre-eminently combin- 

 ing the excellences of both large and small breeds." 



Victorias. The family of pigs known as Victorias originated with 

 Col. Frank D. Curtis, Kirby Homestead, Charlton, Saratoga county. 

 New York. They were made by crossing the Byfield hogs with the 

 native, in which there was a strain of the Grazier. Subsequently crosses 

 were made with the Yorkshire and Suffolk; the result being a purely 

 white hog, of medium size. The name has no significance, unless it is 

 intended as a compliment to the English Queen. The pigs if pure bred, 

 should have a direct descent from a sow called Queen Victoria, which 

 may be said to be the mother of the family. She was pronounced by 

 good judges, to be almost perfect, and was the winner of a number of 

 first prizes. Breeders in the Eastern states have long felt the want of a 

 medium-sized white hog, with all the good points of the English breeds, 

 without their objectionable features; a breed which would mature early, 

 and be covered with a good coat of hair to protect it from the cold in 

 winter and heat in summer. Col. Curtis began breeding nearly twenty 



