Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-05-30
FARM AND PRESIDE.
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The Poland-Ch Swine.

of the successful production of breed
ofanimals, fitted for particular pur-
pose, as that presented by the Poland
Chica swine. The actual addition to
the material wealth Of the country,
during the years since this breed was
produced, has amounted to hundreds
of millions of dollars! Out OF the
25,726,S0O swine existing in the
United States in January, 1875, there
were ID, 3s7, 400 in the States of Ken
lucky, Ohio, Michigan. Indiana, Illi-
nois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and
Wisconsin; and these may be valued
at over 100000, 900. Of these, by
far the larger portion are Poland
Chinas, or grades of that breed. 1t
is unnecessary therefore to enlarge
upon the economic importance of the
breed. Some writers have cast doubt
upon the claims of these swine to
rank as a distinct breed. We are
clearly of the opinion that the clam
is perfectly well founded. If four or
FIVE crosses will entitle a Shorthorp TO
entry in the Herdhook, and to the
title of Thoroughbred; one cannot
doubt that a class of swine, which has
been carefully bred by skillful and
intelligent men for many years, is
quite as well qualified to be called
thorough bred. As to the variation
in style or character Of these swine,
which is SO much talked of and
written about, tile same may be said
with equal force of the Berkshire or
Essex breeds ofpigs, or Of the ver3
ancient and undoubted Southdowns
amongst sheep. AT any rate it is
hardly necessary to discuss the ques
ton, after it mas been judicially decids
ed by the "National Swine breeders
Conventions" and 1t is but waste of
time for those who have no int rest
in the breed to cali in question the
decision.
The character of this breed may be
easily seen and appreciated, from our
engraving, which represents pair,
bred. and owned by D. NJ. Magic,
of Oxford, Butler Co., Ohio, with
whom, it is claimed, this breed origi-
mated. 1t is OIL fair to say that this
claim is contested by other breeders,
but with what Justice it is rot our
purpose here to discuss, However
this may be, there is doubt that much
credit belongs to Mr.. Magic, who has
bred these swine carefully since the
year 1887. Forty years of contlpu
Gus history should have some weight
in considering the purity and stability
of this breed. Since that early period,
these hogs have been steadily grow
ing in favor, and at the yesrly exhi-
billions furnish very large majority
Of the swine presented for exhibition.
In the Western, North western and
South western States, the Poland
Chinas outnumber all other varieties
combined. and it is in these districts
that they are chiefly kept, This
breed was originally founded by var
iously crossing the 'Irish Grazier,'
the "Byfeld," the "Poland," and the
''Large China" breeds; and in add.
ton, there has been considerable
Berkshire blood infused into it. By
careful improvement the breed has
been much refined; the bone has beer
reduced in size, while the size of the
animal has been enlarged, end its
capacity for feeding and making flesh
with early maturity, has been increas'
ed. They are quiet and docile, proli
&c breeders, and the sows are good
nurses. They fatten readily at any
ags. at Is to 20 months may be madt
to weigh 500 to 500 lbs., aud at 10 te
II months they have frequently dress.
ed $50 lbs. The carcass is long
roana, well proportioned; broad
in the back, and deep in the sides
the legs are short, the hams ano
shoulders are heavy, thick, aud
square; the hair is thick and fue, il
the best specimens; III color they art
spotted with black and white, The
black greatly predosninating; the ears
are dropping. and when they have
been carefully bred, these hogs are .
a good style and handsome form
The specimens of which the portraits
are here given, are from herd o
nearly 500 head, firm which animal.
are shipped to nearly every State il
the Union, many of this breed being
now KEEP: in all of the Eastern apc
Middle, aud in some of the Souther,
States, Before the Swine-breedars
Convention adopted the presen
nomenclature for this breed, it wa,
known in some localities as tn,
"Magie," and in others as the "Butlel
County" hogs, the first name being
from the earliest and most prominent
breeder, and the other from the coun
ty where they were first most extern
sively bred. Other names have beer
given to the breed during their earlier
history, these having arisen through