practical papers—Poland china hog. 329 
make more gain and thrive better on grass alone, than any breed 
I know. 
Fourth. It is naturally quiet at all times, unless aroused by 
abuse: is a good breeder, kind in litter and a good suckler; will 
fatten well in corn field, or “hog off” the corn, for it will eat its 
fill and lie down. 
Fifth. I claim in conclusion, that this is the hog for the packer, 
because of the proportion of its weight behind the shoulders, of 
the amount of high priced meat it carries, and the small per cent, 
of offal produced, small head and feet, feeding low down on hock 
and knee. 
A breed that will gain an extra pound on grass is better than 
one that gains an extra two pounds on grain alone; so is the one 
that will fatten readily at nine months, but not reach maturity 
before twenty-one months old, rather than a smaller breed that 
fattens well at six months, and is done growing at fifteen. Let 
me be understood. I claim that pigs should come when grass 
comes, and go to market in cold weather. Therefore, we want a 
breed that we can do most with between April and January, nine 
months, or, if policy says hold over to the second winter, twenty- 
one months, that we can easily keep growing during the second 
summer without great cost, put up to fat the second fall, and 
make it profitable for the second winter’s market. This is the 
hog we want. I believe we have these qualities in the Poland- 
China, more than in any other breed. Of the other points of 
merit in this breed, I name the small bone, long bodies, short 
legs, broad, straight backs, deep sides, with square, heavy hams 
and shoulders, drooping ears, fine hair, spotted, black nearly 
always predominating. Sandy spots sometimes exist, which fade 
or change to a dirty white at nine to twelve months of age. These 
are marks of the “ Poland” blood. 
