The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-12
The Breeds of swine

In the, quarterly report of the Kansas
Board of Agriculture devoted to pork pro-
duction, or the hog in America, Secretary
Coburn has given a terse history of or com
ment on each of the breeds having any
prominence in the United States Some of
his expressions viii not please everybody.
especially those who are inclined to be-
iieve that the use of the leggy and lard
less sorts, as represented by certain Eng
fish types, is essential to the Yankee hog
growers salvation, the editor of the South
ern Planter.
His idea is that the best type of general
purpose hog that the world has vet seen
As the one evolved by the American farm
ers or, if not the American farmers will
make it so; and further, that the American
hog ralsers whatever their shortcomings
know infinitely more about pork produce
ton than any presumptuous outsiders can
tell them. He says:
The Poland China breed originated in
the Maimi valley, in Butler and Warren
counties, Ohio between 1893 and 1910. in the
crossing of various families there known
as Big China, Byiield. Bedford and Irish
Grazier, the offspring being a large and
somewhat coarse black and white snotted
swine called by various names. for which
a national convention of swine breeders
in 1872, selected that of Poland China
Ihese We're crossed with imported Berk-
shires to give refinement and propensitv
TO early fattening, and incidentally thev
acquired much of the Berkshires' confor-
nation, black color and white markings
Inc progress made In that region and at
that time was in a measure due to the
nearness to Cincinnati which in those dave
was the greatest porlz-packing point in
the world. This popular breed. pre-emi-
nentiy an American product, probably now
numbers as many individuals as all other
breeds combined in the United States
The Berkshire in its improved form
originated as did the Essex. in England
Italian and Spanish swine being cross
/ ed with the eoarser native stock-between
1880 and 1900 Although first introduced
to North America about 1880 1t did not
! obtain general or permanent favor until
after 1870. The breed is widely dissen,in-
ated in America, and justly a favorite
both TO breed pure and TO cross with other
breeds.
Chester Whites are the result of mat
ing some large white stock from Bedford
shire, England, with the white hogs com
mon i'm Chester county, Pennsylvania.
about 1918 10 1890; the descendants being
swine that were gradually improved t,y
selection, and have maintained their popu-
larity in North America better than anv
other of their color In latter years. aogs
of dark color are most largely reared.
because Of a belief that they are harder
and less susceptible TO infections of the
skin incident TO sudden changes of tenn
perature and the muddy quarters. severe
winds and burning suns to which they are
too often continuously subjected
'"The Duroc Jerseys are breed of large
sandy hogs that are the result of blend
ing in recent years OF families that first
attracted prominent attention In New Jer-
sey, where they were known as Jersey
Reds with the possibly somewhat diff
ferent type common in Saratoga county.
New York, and locality known as 'Du-
rccs' The best of them are very easy
feeders, fun Of quality. and in many in
stances carry extreme weight firmly on
bones astonishingly fine.
'"rhe Essex are from England. and en-
tiroly black. Few Of them are raised in
the United states, and they are but a very
limited factor in the pork production OF
this country.
The Yorkshires are entirely British.
and IN England three families Of them
are bred, known as the Large White
Middle white and Small White The
Small Whites 80 nearly resemble what
Americans have known as sumolks, that
an expert is unable 10 tel one from the
other. Tine Large Yorkshres or Whites.
ana the Tamworlhs, are The breeds 80