THE DUROC-JERSEY 



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the Duroc-Jersey sows is commended rather than otherwise, for it 

 will result in superior meat, and the litters may also be somewhat 

 larger from this union. In 1916 the Ohio State University showed 

 some barrows of this cross at the International Live-Stock Exposi- 

 tion, which not only won first and second in class on foot but also 

 first and second in the carcass contest, having carcasses of unusual 

 excellence in smoothness, quality, condition of flesh, fat, and color. 



The adaptability of the Duroc-Jersey to a range of conditions 

 is above the average. It has established itself strongly in the 

 favor of the feeder of the corn belt, where the climatic and food 

 conditions are espe- 

 cially favorable to 

 swine husbandry. In 

 the warm climate of 

 the southern United 

 States the breed has 

 rapidly grown in favor, 

 not seeming to be 

 affected by the dry, 

 warm summers, espe- 

 cially as regards skin 

 troubles. In Canada 

 the Duroc-Jersey has 

 but a small foothold, 

 due to the popularity 

 of the bacon hog. 



The prolificacy of the Duroc-Jersey pig is of the first class. 

 Twenty years ago Colonel Curtis wrote that young sows had from 

 7 to 10 pigs and old sows from 10 to 18, while 12 and 14 strong 

 pigs at one litter were not at all uncommon. Rommel, in a report 

 on Duroc-Jersey fecundity, published in 1906, based on herdbook 

 figures, shows that 21,652 litters, comprising 200,574 pigs, aver- 

 aged 9.26 pigs per litter. This is a most excellent record and re- 

 flects great credit on the prolificacy of this breed. There are many 

 individual cases of sows producing large litters, of which the two 

 following are examples: Sunny Side Fancy 46726 in 1910 far- 

 rowed 19 pigs, 17 of which she cared for. A writer in the Ohio 

 Farmer, in 19 10, reported on a pure-bred Duroc-Jersey sow of his 



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Fig. 337. A Duroc-Jersey yearling sow of much ex- 

 cellence bred by Thomas Johnson, Columbus, Ohio. 

 From photograph by the author 



