326 Wisconsin State agricultural society. 
In the early history of swine breeding in the Miami Talley,, in 
Ohio, it is clear, from the best written authorities available, and 
from oral testimony, that there were two breeds, which, to a great 
extent, had been profitably crossed with the common bristled 
breed of the country. These were the Russia and the Byfield. 
The Bedford is also named in connection with the other two, but 
to what extent it was used cannot now be determined. In the year 
1816, we have positive proof from an unquestioned source, that 
the Shakers of Union Tillage, situated in Warren county, Ohio, 
purchased in Philadelphia one boar and three sows of what was 
at that time believed to be pure China. They were represented 
to be either imported or the immediate descendants of imported 
stock. They were called the Big China hogs. These were the 
first China hogs ever brought into southwestern Ohio. Subse¬ 
quently, other China hogs were introduced, and extensively grown. 
The Shakers and other judicious breeders in Warren and Butler 
counties continued to raise the breed, and produced, by repeated 
crosses, a hog of exceedingly fine qualities for that period, one 
which was generally known as the Warren and Butler county 
hog. These hogs continually increasing in good qualities, the very 
best specimens were carefully and interchangeably used, so as to 
produce the best crosses. Such was the progress that was made in 
forming the ground work of a good specimen of a hog. This 
condition of the breed continued until about the vear 1835 or ’36, 
when Mr. Munson or Beach, of Warren county, first introduced 
the Berkshire, which were obtained of C. N. Bement, of the state 
of New York. The Berkshire was liberally infused into the 
stock in southwestern Ohio, and in Kentucky, crossing with the 
Berkshires until about the year 1838 or 1839, when Mr. Wm. 
Neff, of Cincinnati, imported some Irish grazers. This breed 
soon grew into high favor, and, as a consequence, was liberally 
used in making crosses with the best specimens of the crosses 
previously made. 
In a few years, however, the use of the pure blooded Berkshire 
was entirely discontinued, and there was no other importation of 
the Irish grazers. The breeders of swine in the Miami valley set¬ 
tled down to the conviction that the basis of a good breed of hogs 
had been established, and that in the future, judicious and discrim- 
