THE POLAND-CHINA 729 



with those of other breeds. There is more lard, more mechanically 

 separable fat, and a greater thickness of surface fat. In a carcass 

 study of the Poland-China and Berkshire made by the writer this 

 was clearly shown. This has also been demonstrated at the Wis- 

 consin Station, where the loin fat of the Poland-China was 1.75 

 inches thick, the back 2.5 inches, and the shoulder 2.75 inches, 

 exceeding in thickness both Berkshire and Yorkshire. The 

 American trade, however, does not object to this fat, nor is the 

 price paid by the packer any less. So far as the grain and quality 

 of Poland-China meat is concerned, when not too fat it compares 

 very favorably with the Chester White and Duroc-Jersey. Fed on 

 a nitrogenous ration the Poland-China produces an acceptable 

 carcass for the American market. 



The crossbred or grade Poland-China is regarded with favor, 

 both by feeders and the man on the market. Pure-bred boars bred 

 to common sows result in a class of pigs that fatten rapidly and 

 mature early. In fact many think that the females of this cross 

 show more vigor and greater breeding power than do the pure- 

 breds. Poland-China boars crossed with Duroc-Jersey, Berkshire, 

 or Chester White sows produce offspring which often feed better 

 and more rapidly than the pure-breds. The author has secured 

 superior feeding pigs by mating -large Yorkshire boars to Poland- 

 China sows. This cross fed rapidly and carried ample flesh, yet 

 did not become too fat, dressing out a choice carcass. 



The prolificacy of the Poland-China has subjected this breed 

 to much unfavorable criticism in recent years, especially in the 

 period between 1900 and 191 o. This criticism has been especially 

 directed toward the smaller, more compact type, for sows of this 

 sort will not breed so easily nor have such large litters as the 

 larger, more rangy kind of females. Many breeders of recent 

 years have seriously criticized the fecundity and reproductive 

 power of this breed, and no doubt the great increase in the herds 

 of Chester Whites and Duroc-Jerseys is due to dissatisfaction 

 with the Poland-China as a producer. There is no doubt but that 

 the average sow of the breed produces smaller litters than any 

 other breed well known in our feed lots. Dr. Bitting has shown 

 this to be true in his herdbook-record study, in which he shows 

 that the average size of 1086 Poland-China litters was 7.45 pigs 



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