Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-05-05

A. b. ALLEN.


guess only can be given as to the num-
Der which the census of next June will
show US on its completion. A recent
report which have seen OF the hogs
packed at the West, in the season OF
1878, puts the figures at $3.50, 600, while
those of 1879 are represented at some
thing less.
The Hon. J. r. Dodge, IN a late
article in the live and dead swine ex-
ported in 1879 at 6,OOO,O 600 head; and
the annual product of our country at
the enormous weight Of 0O,00o, 900
pounds. How nearly exact this may
be cannot say; but IL any event, II a
perfectly correct weight could be
had at this moment, there is no doubt
we should be astounded at the addition
al figures it would show over those OF
the year 1870.
Suppose the live weight Of swine, as
stated above was Of the best breed, as
the Berkshire, ii would be low figure
to set down its average at four cents
per pound. In this case, it would
amount to 500, 900, 900. Ifof a me-
dunn breed, an average Of three cents
per pound would probably be as much
as could be realized, thus making the
value $50, 100000. If OF an inferior
breed, two cents per pound are alllt
would be worth, reducing the value to
500, goo goo. If, like the Irish Grey
hound small account could be made Of
it for by no system Of feeding can such
an animal be made good pork; and it
would only be waste Of provisions 10
dole them out TO it. The United States
during the last fiscal year exported 49,
43S, 936 worth of these products: $751;
074,433 being in hams; 500, $50, 673
in lard E; s4,SO7 ,56S in pork and $780,
262 in live hogs.
THE BERKSHIRE.
lIOf all our breeds Of swine, l do net
hesitate to place the Berkshire in the
very front rank for general purpose, as
a cross from him on any other always
results in an Improvement, while he is
sure TO be deteriorated if any other
breed is crossed upon him. Then for
tie particular purpose Of obtaining ex-
ira choice hams and shoulders for
smoking, and side pieces for bacon, Of
q tender, lean, juicy quality, no other
breed Of swine within my knowledge
can be compared TO him.
So highly esteemed had the Berkshire
become IN our country, and so great
the wealth and prosperity, especially in
the wide pork regions Of the West, that
was certain to follow from keeping up
his peculiar good qualities and perpetual
ing them in purity, that on Februar J
25th, 1875, an ASSOCIATION Of enterpris-
ing and enlightened breeders was
formed at Springfield, Hin ois, to more
fully insure this deslderaium. 1t took
the name Of the American Berkshire
Association, was incorporated March,
18th 1879, and fixed Its headquarters at
Springfield, Illinois, electing Presi-
dent and other necessary officers. The
Hon. Phil. NJ. Springer was made Score.
tary, who still continues in the Office
and is also the chief manager Of affairs.
The Association proceeded TO get up
a Herd Book for the record Of pedigrees
the first volume of which was published
IN Nav 1876. This has been succeeded
by volumes, II, III, w. and with
these are incorporated in their introdTc-
lions, valuable prize essays Of this his
tory of Berkshire, the best method of
breeding and rearing, as also that Of the
prevention of disease and Of treatlnGslt
whenever happening to occur.
THE PoLAND-cHINA.
This is the most popular breed Of
swine at present among US for the pro-
ducton Of fat pork suitable for sailing
for general family use, sea-stores and
shipping abroad. They are usually
larger than the Berkshire, spotted with
rather more black than white; matur
almost as soon, and are equally hardy,
vigorous and thrifty. AS this now dis
tinguished breed is OF American origin
and completeness, we may well be
proud oft, and give it the preference
wherever suitable to the requirements
OF farmers.
The fret volume OF Herd Book o.
these has just been published in Ohio,
under the name OF the Poland-China
Record. In this the history Of the breed
is given, the foundation of which, it i;
asserted, was begun in the Miami Val
ley in the year 1916, with three breeds
ofswmc, then known there as the Rus
sia, the Byfeld and the Big China
Males of these were crossed more o.
less upon the native females of tbt
Valley, and from time to time this pro
IL
duce was crossed with other breeds, th'
main improper, after the year 1888
beng. as / have been Informed, th'
Berkshire.
Iwell recollect when first visiting TIT
Miami Valley in December lS4l, seem!
there considerable number OF yer,
large white swine, closely resembling
the English Yorkshire of that day.
These. Yers called the Miami breed
Females had been crossed TO some sx
tent with Berkshire boars, and most Q
this produce which was pointed out t.
me, had grown sp large, splendid AMI
mails, Quite Berkshire like IN form an
points,, and spotted black and whit