BREEDS OF SWINE. 



5 



THE POLAND-CHINA. 



The Poland-China hog originated in the Miami Valley in Ohio, 

 chiefly in Warren and Butler Counties. At present there are two 

 distinct types in this breed — the large type Poland-China, which is 

 a large, prolific, heavy-boned animal, and the highly refined quality 

 strain or show-ring type. The aim of many breeders for a number 

 of years has been to develop quality, early maturity, and smoothness 

 of form. Some of them, however, have recognized that this type 

 of Poland-China was being produced at the expense of size and 

 fecundity. The Poland-China of early days was a large, rugged, 

 prolific, spotted hog. and, except for the color, breeders of the large 

 type are simply holding to early standards. They have disregarded 

 the fancy type and are breeding hogs which have size and fecundity. 



Fig. 2. — Poland-China sow. 



The development of more size and bone in the breed is a topic very 

 widely discussed in agricultural papers, and the overrefined type 

 seems to be falling into disfavor with the general farmer. 



In general appearance the Poland-China is compact, symmetrical, 

 full and round, smooth, and inclined to massiveness in build. The 

 color is black with six white markings — the face, feet, and tip of tail. 

 The face is practically straight and the ears droop over about one- 

 fourth to one-third from the tip. The body is smooth throughout, 

 with thick, broad, heavy sides, which are somewhat short but very 

 deep. The hind quarter is thickly fleshed, and the hams are very 

 wide and deep, extending well down on the hocks. The legs are 

 short and the bone fine. Poland-Chinas stand remarkably well on 

 their feet. A broken-down pastern is exceptional in this breed. 



