207 



of the two marketable commodities, reveals to them that the 

 course was injudicious. 



The habits of roaming to which our swine are addicted, 

 makes them unprofitable. It seems to be their leading char- 

 acteristic; even when penned such an unsettled disposition is 

 manifested that they appear to have no satisfaction in living. 

 Hogs well domesticated undoubtedly thrive better by 100 ^ ■ 

 cent, than when allowed to range over the extent of territo- 

 ry usually allotted to them. We have seen hogs of these ' 

 roaming breeds slaughtered at 18 to 24 months old, and not 'I 

 be made to weigh over 200 ibs., which is certainly unprofita- ' 

 ble when compared with well domesticated animals that will 

 weigh 250 to 400 ibs. at 12 to 15 months old ; and this too, 

 produced by the same, or perhaps less amount of feed than 

 was consumed by the former. In most eastern States, hogs 

 are confined to pens or small pastures during the entire year, 

 and fed upon grain at three times the cost of western pro- 

 duce, and still they are considered profitable, although the 

 prices of the pork produced seldom if ever is worth double 

 the price of ours. Docility is an indispensable trait in the 

 character of a hog. 



The present prices of pork in our markets are $3 @ $4, 

 according to weight and quality. 



Fruit. — Considerable attention has been appropriated to 

 the culture of apples by some farmers in our county, but 

 there is yet room for improvement, or at least for a more ex- 

 tensive outlay in the business. The varieties produced are 

 generally good, among which we may name the Spitzenberg, 

 Vandever, Rambo, Bellflower, Newtown and other Pippins, 

 Greening, &c., which for flavor, and (most of them) for keep- 

 ing qualities, may be rated No. 1. Beside these there are al- 

 most innumerable varieties of inferior qualities, too tedious to 

 mention. 



From the fine specimens produced in our county, we should 

 judge that our soil and climate are well suited to the growth 

 and perfection of this fruit t and our only wonder is, that the 



