22 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



BREEDS OF SWINE. 



Before we proceed to notice the various breeds that are 

 deserving tlie attention of those in search of pure-blood 

 stock, it might be well to observe, that many persons engage 

 in breeding such stock solely for the purpose of supplying 

 their neighbors and the public with the same at "-fancy 

 prices." Not unfrequently such breeds soon have their run ; 

 but this class of speculators are all sold out at just tlie right 

 time, and are now in for something else that's new. These 

 men are not breeders : they know little or nothing about the 

 art of breeding. Therefore, hi purchasing new and im- 

 proved breeds of any kind, never allow this spirit of specu- 

 lation to enter into 3-our plans. Let the motive be to help 

 improve the domestic animal. Thus our farmers, by secur- 

 ing the best breeds and their crosses, not only secure to 

 themselves increased profit, but embellish their farms with 

 that which will afford them a new interest, and a satisfaction 

 not to be found in the ownership and breeding of inferior 

 stock. 



THE ESSEX. 



This is a favorite breed with those who have given them 

 a fair trial. For the production of nice pork for family use, 

 it is claimed there can be nothing superior. They certainly 

 have a larger per cent of lean meat, and less of that gross, 

 oily tendejicy, to which the Suffolk runs. They are a thor- 

 oughly established breed, good families of which will re- 

 produce themselves as near alike as two peas. They are 

 remarkably quiet and gentle : " no other breed equals them 

 in this respect," it is claimed. Small-boned, light offal, easy 

 to keep, and good grazers. To cross on coarse sows they 

 are especially recommended. We do not think it would 

 pay to keep the breed simply for the production of pork, 

 unless customers are willing to pay an extra price for a nice 

 article. They are pure black in color, rather small, but 

 very compact. 



YORKSHmE. 



The Yorkshire is one of the oldest of the white breeds of 

 swine. They are generally divided into the large, small, 

 and middle breeds. The small Yorkshires are a quiet, easy 



