SWINE. This breed is famous all over the West, and also is locally known in Ohio as the Magie hog, from the name of one of its successful breeders there. It is desmibed by the committee on Poland-Chinas at a convention of the National Swine Breed ers' Association. In a number of articles on swine we have freely used these reports as they have appeared at this convention, since the pecu liarities of the various breeds were then pretty fully discussed. There were two reports, a majority report and a minority report; the latter being finally adopted. It is as follows: In the early history of swine-breeding in the Miami Valley, in Ohio, it is clear, from the best written authorities available, and from oral testimony, that there were two breeds which, to a great extent, had been profitably crossed with the common bristled breed of the country. These were the Russia and Byfield breeds. The Bed ford breed is also named in connection with the other two. To what extent it was used can not now be readily determined. In 1816, We have positive proof from an unquestioned source that the Shakers of Union Village, situate in Warren county, O., and being four miles from Mon roe, in Butler county, purchased at Philadelphia one boar and three sows, of what was, at the time, believed to be pure China. They were represented to be either imported or the imme diate descendants of imported stock. They were called Big China hogs. These animals were the first China hogs ever brought into southwestern Ohio. Subsequently other China hogs were introduced and extensively used. The shakers and other judicious breeders in Warren and Butler counties continued to use the breeds at command, and produced, by repeated crosses, a hog of exceedingly fine qualities for that period, which was generally known as the Warren County hog. These hogs, continually increasing in good qualities, were bred in both counties, and the very best specimens were carefully and interchangably used, so as to make the best crosses. Such was the progress that had been made in forming the ground-work of a good specimen of a hog. This condition of the breed remained measurably constant until about the year 1835 or 1836, when Mr. Mun son Beach, of Warren county, first introduced the Berkshires, which were obtained from C. IVI Bement, of the State of New York . Other lots of Berkshires continued to flow into the Miami Valley, until about 1841. The Berkshire
blood was liberally infused into the stock exist ing not only in southwestern Ohio, but in Ken tucky also. Crossing with the Berkshires was almost exclusively done until about 1838 or 1839, when Mr. William Neff, of Cincinnati, imported some choice specimens of the Irish Grazier. This breed soon grew into high favor, and, as a con sequence, was liberally used in making crosses with the best specimens of the crosses previously made. This intermingling of blood—this cross ing of breeds—continued for some time. In a few years, however, the use of the pure-blooded Berkshire was entirely discontinued, and there were no further importations made of the Irish Grazier. The breeders of swine in the Miami Valley settled down to the conviction that the basis of a good breed of hogs had been estab lished, and that in the future, judicious and dis criminating breeders could use, and, if necessary, rnodify the material furnished so as to meet the highest demands of the public. For more than thirty years no new blood has been introduced into our breed, and no effort made to obtain a new supply of the blood of either breed previously used. While this is true, our breeders have not been indifferent to the further improvement of our breed. Stimulated by their success, they have perseveringly aimed to improve what they had been so successful in forming. The best points or qualities have been preserved, and, when practicable, have been made even more excel lent. All defective points or undesirable quali ties have been corrected or improved by the care, skill and judgment of our experienced breeders. Thus we have a breed thoroughly established— of fixed characteristics, of fine style, and of unquestioned good qualities, which can be relied upon for the production of a progeny of like qualities and character. The following is pre sented as the characteristics of the foregoing breed : The best specimens have good length, short legs, broad, straight backs, deep sides, flanking well down the legs, very broad, full, square hams and shoulders, drooping ears, short heads, wide between the eyes, of spotted or dark color; are hardy, vigorous, and prolific, and when fat are perfect models all over, pre-emi nently combining the excellencies of both large and small breeds.