Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-09-20

~ short and the bone good, though in
some instances there is a tendency to too
much refinement In this respect. The
body OF this breed exclusive of the head
Is more typical OF that of the Poland
China than the Berkshire. The color Is
rel. although the shades vary from light
to dark The size OF the breed is some
what variable due to the large number or
animals used as foundation stock. Ma
ture animals are quite large, two-years-
old boars weighing as much as 600
pounds, and sows in the same condition
and age 500 pounds.
The Duroc-Jersey is widely scattered
throughout the United States. but is
probably more extensively bred in the
middle west in what is known as the
corn belt than elsewhere. This breed has
always been more or less Of a favorite
in the south. environmentai conditions
and our warm summers seeming not to
affect it at all unfavorably. This breed
has many desirable qualities, one of the
most important OF which is its ability to
mature early. animals at six months of
age having dressed out as much as 175
pounds. This Is an important matter for
the swine breeder to bear in mind, for
the sooner he can place his hogs on the
market. the larger are his profits likely
TO be. AS feeders, Duroc-Jerseys will
class with our best breeds. This is the
consensus OF opinion, at least of prac-
teal farmers. though tests made at a
number of experiment stations indicate
that they consume somewhat more feed
per 100 pounds Of gain than the Berk-
shire. Poland China or Chester White.
In certain tests however, the Duroc-
Jersey has shown the greatest efficiency
and the least cost in production OF 100
pounds OF gain. Those interested in this
matter should look up the experiments
conducted at the Iowa experiment station
and the Ontario Agricultural college.
where this breed more than held its own
AS n grazer the breed does fairly well,
though IL is not so good IN this respect
a. the Tamworth and some other of the
harder and more active breeds. Where
good grass or clover or leguminous crops
which produce an abundance. Of grain
can be cultivated, however, it will give a
good account OF itself, and as crops of
this character can Re produced through
out the south. the breed can be used with
success on the part of our farmers who
fancy 1t.
In slaughter tests which have been
made the breed has shown up to GOOD
advantage. II has not produced quite
so much fat or lard, but this is not an
objection. and while it has not led In the
Z
there has been so little difference as
compared with the record made by other
breeds as not to justify marked discrim.
tnation against il in this respect. In
quality Of meat, that produced by this
Freed VIII compare favorably with that
derived from other standard breeds. such
as the Poland China or Chester White
/ The best evidence OF the character of the
meat Is shown by the fact that it is not
Disseminated against on the market
Naturally the class of pork produced
where they are fed exclusively on corn
Is not the equal to that produced where
they are fed on mixed diet In other
words, the character Of meat produced
by the breed viii be determined largely
by the care and skill with which they
are handled.
This breed has the advantage Of cross
ing well with native animals Duroc.
/ Jersey bears arc favorites as sires with
farmers who own common or scrub ami
mails. The reason for this is found in
the increased size and vigor OF the filters
obtained. They also mate well with Po-
I land China or Berkshires, though a re-
verssl OF the cross, that is, the use of
the Berkshire sire on the Duroc-Jersey
dam, viii give the best results where
I iigh-elass meat is sought. like any
other breed. It gives it's best results when
used with regularity and on. dams which
have been selected with skill. The use OF
a Duroc-JeTsey sire this year and a Po-
land China or Berkshire next year is bad
practice on the part OF any farmer, only
resulting I'm the production OF an indis-
eliminate admixture OF all breeds, and
probably because OF the lack Of fixity of
/ type results in the outcropping of unde-
siirable characteristics of many of them.
4
/ Duroc-Jersey would do well to select and
use them permanently for at least a Sc
ries OF years If they hope to secure the
hest results from their use. Prolificacy
is one of the strong points Of this breed.
/ From a study of herd book figures il APP
pears that 21,6o2 filters comprising 20O,-
574 pigs averaged 9.26 pigs per litter. This
/ is wonderful record and establishes be-
yond doubt the great prolificacy of this
breed. which accounts in no small meas
ure for the favor with which IL Is re-
/ garded in those sections of the country
where it is best known and most widely
distributed.
This paper attempts TO summarize for
the information of farmers some of the
more important facts concerning the an
cestry and development OF the Duroc-
Jersey breed, and the desirable charac-
\ teristics and qualities which II possesses
at the present time.
II DESTROYING TICKS Oh CATTLE.
II j. L H. Jefferson, Ca, writes:
/ Please advise me the best method of
Riding land OF cattle ticks. Where
seen any on my cattle until this last
! summer one OF my renters put q year
ling that was full of them in my pas
ture without my knowledge, and In a
little while everything was full of them.
Various methods may be pursued for
Kidding land Of fcfattle ticks Where
only few animals are to be handled
/ they may be penned and the ticks
cleaned of with a curry comb. Care
/ eh he ia tn. fher than IN