SWINE, HISTORY AND BREEDS, 
357 
prominence by attaching their own names to the swine of their breeding. 
The facts are, the name Poland-China is a misnomer so far as Poland is 
concerned, for there is not a particle of evidence that a distinctly Polish 
breed of hogs ever gave an infusion of blood. The nearest evidence— 
and this traditionary — to this effect, is, that long ago a sow was bought' 
of a Polander, which, proving an excellent breeder, it went by the name 
of the Polander sow. The breed is now largely indebted to the Chinas) 
and Berkshires for their good qualities. Although they certainly have) 
an" infusion of so-called Irish grazier in them. Why this breed should 
have been called grazier, one can only surmise. They certainly were any- 
thing but grass eaters, but the name made them popular for a time in tho 
then far West where grain at that time was scarce. The facts are, the 
Chinese hogs, imported into Ohio in 1816, and bred upon the best native 
stock of the country are the basis of the breed. In 1835 the Berkshire 
was introduced, and in 1839 or 1840 the Irish grazier. These were ex- 
tensively used by the best breeders, on the best descendants of the China 
crosses. Since 1842, there is good evidence to show that new blood has 
not been introduced, bflt by careful selection, and judicious breeding, in 
Ohio and the West, or, by occasional judicious infusion of Berkshire 
blood, they now leave little to be desired, as a heavy, well meated breed, 
that will fatten kindly at any age. 
Characteristics of Poland-China. 
The best specimens have good length, short legs, broad, straight backs, 
deep sides, flanking well down on the leg, very broad, full, square hams 
and shoulders, drooping ears, short heads, wide between the eyes, of 
spotted or dark color ; are hardy, vigorous and prolific, and when fat are 
models, combining the excellences of both large and small breeds. 
XI- Chester Whites. 
The Chester Whites originated in Chester county, Pennsylvania, about 
1818, through the importation of a pair of fine pigs from Bedfordshire, 
England, by Captain James Jeffries. These were inter-bred with the 
nest stock then existing in that county, and by careful selections a per- 
manent strain of large, easily fattened, quiet hogs were produced, which 
continued to breed with great uniformity. Something like thirty years 
ago some attempts wero made to cross the Suffolk and Berkshire upor 
them, but it was discontinued as not being considered an improvement, 
and the best specimens to-day should be pure white, with no black about 
them whatever. 
