102 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



Mr. G. C. Rice says of his ewes, that from twelve head he 

 had fifteen lambs, twelve of which he sold 886.25 ; kept three 

 ewe lambs and sold wool fpr $24.57. If we allow $7 per head 

 for the three ewe lambs which he kept, which is a little below 

 the average at which he sold, we shall have for the whole annual 

 product of these twelve ewes $131.82, being very near $11 per 

 head. Comments are unnecessary. 



Thos. Whittaker, Chairman. 



S WI^E. 



MIDDLESEX SOUTH. 



Statement of Jabez Newton. 



The breeding sow with eleven pigs by her side which I offer 

 for premium is three years old, and of the Mackey breed. She 

 has had six litters of pigs, numbering sixty-six, all of which 

 have been reared so far without accident. She has had three 

 litters of eleven pigs each, and raised them all. Her last spring 

 litter I sold for $117. The pigs on exhibition are one-half 

 Mackey and one-half Suffolk ; their age is four weeks and 

 two days. 



It has been my experience which has run over the space of 

 thirty years, during which time I have raised annually, with 

 one exception, from one to three litters, that a sow two years 

 old and upwards will rear more and better pigs than one under 

 that age. " A calf from a young cow, a pig from an old sow," 

 is correct. As the male exerts a decided influence upon the 

 offspring, I am somewhat particular upon this point. I find a 

 journey of four or five miles, or even more, to secure the service 

 of a proper animal will pay handsomely. 



A sow kept for this purpose should not be fed high, and for a 

 week or so after breeding should be fed more sparingly than 

 after that period. Milk and potatoes are the best of food for a 

 sow in milk. If milk is not handy, scalded meal is a good sub- 

 stitute. I am not in favor of frequent feeding ; to feed regu- 

 larly three times a day is sufficient and at each time give only 

 what is required. I do not salt as much as some, but am in 



