Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1877-03-15
7IcJLTJ7A..
P)L4VD.CH[VA H)1S.

known As the "Pol nd China" is az
follows:
In the early history OF swine r ,ed-
iu, in the Miami Valley, in Ohio, it
i, clear from the best written author
tiles available, and from oral testimo-
nv, that there were two breeds which,
to great extent, had been prohtably
crossed with the common brlstle breed
Of the country. These were the Rus
STA and BAYFIELD, breeds. The Bed
ford breed is also named in connection
with the other two; to what extent it
was used cannot now be readily de-
termined.
In 1916 we have positive proof
from an unqnestioned source that tae
Shakers OF Union Village, situated in
Warren county, Ohio, and icing four
miles from Monroe, in Butler county,
purchased at 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 descen-
dants Of the imported stock. They
were called Big China hogs. These
animals were the first China hogs ever
brought into Southwestern Ohio
Subsequently other China hogs were
introduced and extensively used.
The Shakers and other judiclous
breeders in Warren and Batter coun-
hes continued to use the breeds at
command, and produced, by repeated
crosses, hog of exceedingly Gne
qualities for that period, which was
generally known as the "Warren
County hog. These hogs, continu-
ally increasing in good qualities, We're
bred in both counties, and the very
best specimens were carefully and in
terchangca( ly used, so as to make the
best crosses.
Such was the progress that had
been made III forming the ground
work Of good specimen Of a hog
THIS condition of tie breed continued
until about the year 1885 or 1886,
when Mr.. Muuson Beach, OF Warren
county, first introduced the Berk-
shres, which were obtained from c,
NJ. Dement, Of the state Of New York.
Other lots Of Berkshires continued to
flow into the Miami Valley until
about 1871.
The Berkshire blood was literally
infused into the stock existing rot
only in Southwestern Ohio, but in
Kentucky also. Crossing with the
Berkshire was almost exclusively
done until about 1888 or 1889, when
Mr.. WIN. Neli, of Cincinnati, import
ed some choice specimens Of the Irish
Grazier.' This breed soon grew into'
high favor, and, as a consequence,
was literally used in making crosses
with the best specimens of the crosses
previously made. This iuterming-
ling Of bIood-this crossing Of breeds
--continued for some time In Il few
years, however, the use Of pure blqRl
Berkshire was entirely discontinued
and there We're no further importa-
tons made Of the Irish Grazir. The
breeders of swine in the Miami Val !
ley settled down to the conviction
that the basis Of good breed Of hogs
had been established, and that in the
future judicious and discriminating
breeders could use, and if necessary,
modify the material furnished so as
to meet the biggest demands Of the
public. For more than thirty years,
no new blood has been introduced
into our breed, and no effort made
to obtain a new supply Of the blood Of
either breed previously used. While
this is true, our breeders have not
been Indifferent to the future improve
ment of our breed. Stimulated by
their success, they have persevering-
aimed to improve what they had been
so successful in forming The best
points or qualities have been pre-
served, and when practicable, have
been made more excellent. All de-
fectlve points or undesirable qualities
have been corrected or improved by
the care, skill and judgment of our
experienced breeders.
The following is presented as the
characteristics of the fOrooino breed i