CHAPTER LXVIII 



THE POLAND-CHINA 



The native home of the Poland-China pig is in Butler and Warren 

 Counties in southwestern Ohio. This is an undulating region 

 with a prevailing clay-loam soil, excepting in the river bottoms. 

 The Great Miami flows through Butler County, the valley of 

 which is twelve miles wide and very fertile. The Little Miami 

 River drains the greater part of Warren County. Corn, wheat, 

 oats, grass, and clover are grown extensively in these two coun- 

 ties, which cover about eight hundred and fifty square miles. 

 Hamilton County, Ohio, and Union and Wayne Counties in 

 Indiana were also associated with early Poland-China develop- 

 ment. All these five counties are grouped together. The climate 

 is fairly temperate both in summer and winter, typical of the 

 Central West east of the Mississippi. 



The origin of the Poland-China pig is not clearly understood. 

 In the past considerable discussion has taken place concerning 

 the accuracy of statement of various persons regarding the blood 

 used in the early days of the formation of the breed. Radical 

 difference of opinion has existed on this point. In important 

 essentials the history of the establishment of the breed is very 

 well understood. 



The foundation stock of the Poland-China begins with the 

 breeds or types of swine found in the Miami valley early in the 

 nineteenth century. The settlers of this region had come in from 

 Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Indiana, and various parts of 

 Ohio, and had brought with them hogs of considerable variety. 

 Undoubtedly the stock of the settlers became crossed* but from 

 this mingling of blood was developed a large, coarse, very hardy, 

 prolific, slow-maturing pig. The claim has been made that previous 



to 1816 two breeds — the Russian (or Russia) and the Byfield 



were known in the Miami valley. Dawson states ^ that in 1830 



1 The Hog Book, p. 34. Chicago, 191 1. 

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