THE FAT OR LARD BREEDS OF SWINE 421 
In England, Berkshires are recorded in the British 
Berkshire Herd-book, controlled by the British Berkshire 
Society. 
Literature. — The Berkshire World is published in the interests 
of this breed at Springfield, Illinois. 
PoLanD-CHINA SWINE. Plate XV. Fig. 86. 
By G. E. Day 
509. Poland-China swine are entirely the product and 
development of American swine-breeders. They are of 
the lard-hog type. 
510. History. — The Poland-China originated in Butler 
and Warren counties, Ohio. These two counties are 
drained by the Great Miami and the Little Miami rivers. 
The valley of the Miami is a very fertile district, and its 
name is closely associated with the early history of this 
breed. The history of the origin of Poland-China swine 
is not altogether clear, and some points have been the 
subject of lengthy controversies. From the varying 
theories and claims put forward, we may accept the fol- 
lowing statements as being reasonably accurate. Previous 
to 1816, the Russia and Byfield breeds were largely used 
for crossing on the common hogs of the Miami valley. 
These were both white breeds, possessing more or less 
merit as feeders. In 1816, the Society of Shakers, of 
Union Village, Warren county, brought a boar and three 
sows from Philadelphia. The pigs were represented to the 
Shakers as being of pure Chinese blood, and they were 
called Big Chinas. The boar and two of the sows are said 
to have been pure white, and the other sow was white, 
with some sandy and black spots. These Big Chinas and 
