SWINE. 103 



favor of the occasional use of sulphur. I have always practised, 

 and found the use of white lye is beneficial. To prevent accident 

 in time of labor, I have found it an excellent practice to handle 

 them frequently for a few weeks previous, until they become 

 quite tame ; they may then be approached when assistance may 

 be necessary. 



PLYMOUTH. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



According to the instructions given to the Committee for 

 making reports, we think our task somewhat delicate ; not what 

 we have done, but what we have to say. We suppose all that 

 enter an animal for the society's premium expect to get the first. 

 It is natural to us all to think we have the best. Mr. Leach, 

 had a good litter of pigs with his sow ; they looked plump and 

 even, which showed he was a good breeder, although mostly of 

 native stock. His boar we thought rather coarse for clear 

 Chester stock in limbs and in his general looks ; although his 

 pigs were good, we considered they took it mostly from the 

 mother ; still, according to Mr. L.'s statement, " his keeping- 

 all summer has been nothing but bush pasture," which, if true, 

 speaks well for the boar or the pasture. Not that we would 

 recommend bush pastures for general use, but such as his must 

 have some good qualities in it for the swine kind. Mr. Beebe's 

 sow is undoubtedly of pure stock, and he took much care to 

 raise and breed from her. The only fault of the Berkshire 

 stock is that lack of uniform thickness in their pork. They are 

 far behind the Mackey, Suffolk or Chester in that respect, and 

 have within a few years ceased to be a favorite with breeders or 

 pork-raisers in this section. Mr. Hobart's sow and fourteen 

 pigs were worthy of notice, but in the minds of the Committee 

 she was not equal to the emergency. 



Much has been said in favor of foreign stock, and capital 

 expended for the improvement of swine, and much has been 

 accomplished ; but it will not do to rest where we are ; we must, 

 in order to gain any permanent benefit from what has been done, 

 continue to breed from the best, and make judicious crosses. In 

 order to get a good stock of pigs, we must know what we want. 

 If the sow is long or rather coarse — decidedly the best for a 

 milker — cross with boar of a finer build ; by so doing, we get 



