The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1920-03-04


Big Type, Medium Type and small
in fact all Polands, are descended
from a hog produced by the mixing
of at least six separate and distinct
breeds by the pioneer farmers oil
Western Ohio.
The common hog that roamed at
will through the almost unbroken
forests in those days, furnished the
foundation from which was developed
what was later known as the war
rem County Hog"
The sturdy farmers Of this section
wished to develop their common hog
and lost no opportunity to cross them
with other breeds whenever they could
secure one by importation or from
older states in the Bast
The Russian Hog" was on of the
breeds to he brought into this sec
ton. and history tells us he was a
large, white hog, rather coarse, with
great length and very prolific.
Another was the "Byfeld" which
came from Massachusetts,, and which
was also large pure white hog.
Just about century ago the first
importation Of breed called Big
China was brought into this section
Of Ohio They are described as a
hog mostly white in color, but hav-
ing some sandy and black spots.
They were good feeders, matured
very early and, being prepotent, im-
pressed these characteristics on their
offspring.
1t is also known that q number OF
individuals Of breed called Irish
Graziers," which was reddish or
sandy colored hog, were brought and
used.
Berkshires" was made into this ter
ritory about the year 1885, and it is
quite certain that all of the black
or PRACTICAL all, in the Poland
China hogs of today came from
crossing the big English Berk-
shires with the Warren County Hog"
From this time on no other breeds
were introduced but we already
have the blood of at least six sep
arate and distinct breeds coursing
through the. veins of this wonderful
warren County Hog" when about
80 years later, in 1872, the National
Swine Breeders convention met in
indianapolis and gave these hogs the
official name of POLAND China"
They were in great demand, and inn
mediatey following this official nam
ing at least three record associations
were organized to record the Poland
China.
What has happened in the past ~
years is common knowledge to
many, but it is a very interesting
story and an object lesson in live
stock breeding, of great value to
follow the history of this hog, in
whose veins was the blood Of so
many different breeds, which natur-
ally made him bundle of possibil-
tiles" when he was scattered through
out the country into the hands of
so many men differing widely in
ideals and purposes, and surround
ed by such great differences in en-
vironment, such as climate, food
and range conditions in the East,
West, North and South.
1t is the object of this little article
to merely state facts and not discuss
the merits or demerits of the Poland
China over any other breeds of hogs
or any particular type or color of the
Poland China over any other.
1t is a fact, however, that in the
Corn belt these hogs which were
originally large, black and white
spotted. heavy boned. prolific hog OF
considerable length. were gradual,
nodded into smaller and shorter
and more quickly maturing type by
selection and the heavy feeding OF
grain in feed lots to the exclusion
of the natural range condition.
which supplied an abundance Of pro
tein in the way of grasses roots ant
nuts of the forest so conductive to ,
larger growth. This not only re
duced the Size of the Poland China
but as they grew smaller they he
came less prolific. until in many IL
caiities there We're SO many com
plants that it grew into an almos
continual protest by the farmer
that the breeders were getting tn
Poland China bred down too fine.
This criticism. oft repeated /
many places during the last ten {
H'teen years. served tn set men
siihAihg, and some of the far seeir
"as III many localities who prefe