Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-10-29
THE FARM AND HOME.
CONCERNING THE BREED OF
SWINE TO RAISE.
4 Few Useful Points About the Various
Breeds-An Advocate of Wood
en- Churns-Farm Notes and
Domestic Hints.
What Breed of Swine to Raise.


This has been a problem with be-
ginners in swine husbandry, as well
as some older and more experienced
farmers, writes John M. Stonebraker
In the Practical Farmer, who have
been unsuccessful in the business. To
hear one man eXtol a special breed
of his fancy, and so on until we have
the whole catalogue of the different
breeds eulogiZed TO the highest point
OF perfection, one would indeed be in
a dilemma apd each Of these it may
be are acting in good faith, although
1t is often done with a selfish motive
and to accomplish personal ends. and
with the intention to deceive and mis-
lead. Is it any wonder the inquiry
goes out-what breed Of swine shall
raise? We look around us and see a
very successful breeder of Poland Chi
mas, another of Berkshires, Chester
Whites, Duroc Jerseys, and many 9TH
er distinctive breeds which might
lead one to think that any of the
breeds are good enough. We should
cast our eyes a little further and
count up or observe the failures
of many breeders who try to raise
certain specific breeds, and inquire
into the causes of their failures.
Failures in swine breeding is no eX-
ception to the general rule OF other
stockmen who breed other classes OF
stock. 1t is not every horse breeder
that can make success in breeding
trotters or roadster4, or draft horses
and other different breeds. 1t seems
each man has a popularity or natural
gift who makes q success OF his
breeding stud, and it is undoubtedly
none the less true with swine breed
ers. We must first find out our abil-
ity to handle certain breeds, and to
know if the climate, soil, and all
other requirements are cOngenlal to
the breed we have undertaken to
raise; if not our time and expense
are lost, and disappointment will re-
suit You go into some OF the billy
Eastern states and you find the Ches-
ter Whites predominant, and in other
sections the Berkshires prevail, and
the Poland-Chinas have a still wider
range. and no doubt they are more
largely bred to-day than any other
distinct breed, and receive less criti-
cism; but the fact remains that they
do not fill the place in every domain
of this wide world; they are not there,
and are found wanting. But where
climate and other influences are con-
genial they are profitable hog.
The Duroc Jerseys are becoming
popular, and their friends claim they
are the most productive and the best
suited to wider range of climatic in
fiuences. and will thrive under less
favorable circumstances than others;
but Notwithstanding all these facts,
the breeder to be successful must be
wide awake and love his calling suf-
ficiently well to prosper. To keep
abreast Of the times it might be neces-
sary to be schOoled as an expert in
the score card craze or hobby, and
again it might be well to guard against
all fanaticism. 1t is the we'll bal
anced mind that is the most successful
in his profession be it as a breeder of
stock or any other occupation. What
breed Of swine to raise is difficult
question to answer. The fancy of the
breeder, together with the locality or
climate, all would go to help decide
the question.