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A TALK ABOUT PIGS. 



man in the cit}', I little dreamed that he had cultivated so nice and discriminating a taste 

 for farm stock, and supposed that I should meet with some very tolerahle things at his 

 place, in the way of cattle, pigs and chickens; yet the last I knew to be good, for he had 

 among them some of the choicest of a previous importation of my own. The^rs^ I also 

 knew were fine, for he had selected some choice creatures from a herd into which T, my- 

 self, had dipped at a liigh figure. These were examined, commented upon, and praised as 

 they deserved; but usually regarding a pig as a thing to be kept in a pen, out of sight, 

 fatted, slaughtered, and put out of the way, I took less interest in them; yet learning 

 they were remarkable in their way, I went with my friend to their stye — a proper, well 

 ari'anged apartment, adjoining the stables; and what a sight! I no longer wondered that 

 Princk Albert, the illustrious spouse of England's Queen, breeds Middlesex pigs, and 

 takes prizes with tliem at the Royal Cattle Shows. Tliere were the original pair imported 

 the previous year, with their brood of nine young ones, fat as squabs, white as pigs could 

 be, and more beautiful in shape, and more perfect in style, than one would suppose a pig 

 could be bred — all of the true " Prince Albert" stock. Why they really looked innocent, 

 and in no manner of descent from the herd which ran into the Sea of Gallilee when pos- 

 sessed of the devil, some eighteen hundred and odd j'ears ago! 



It is needless to talk further about the pigs, for I fell so much in love with them that I 

 dreamed of them half the night, and nought would do but my friend would have me ac- 

 cept one of them to take to my own place, with which to improve my own stock, although 

 I had tliought that my own were about good enough. The matter was soon settled, and 

 a pig I was to have, when the navigation opened, and he could be safely sent to me. In 

 due time I received him, and although I had never looked upon a thing of the swine fami- 

 ly with particular complacency, the quiet temper, docility, and beauty of the creature has 

 now won all my prejudices, and my pig is one of the prime favorites among my farm 

 stock. 



Finding his stock too large for his farm, my friend, a few months afterwards, sold his 

 imported pair, and a part of the young ones to Col. J. M. Sherwood, of Auburn, who 

 now keeps them, and declares that, although he had the best of pigs before, he never saw 

 anything to compare with them. For introducing these beautiful pigs into the countr}^, 

 Mr. John C Jacksox — for that is the name of the gentleman — deserves more credit for 

 good works than half the politicians in the country put together. 



Now, as the pig, or a family of pigs, are useful things on every country place, be it a 

 farm proper or country seat, with only its garden and fruit yard, let every one who re- 

 quires a creature of the kind, see that he select good ones of an improved race, easy kept, 

 and quite tempered; and if he want their services in his fruit orchard, they will not then 

 rout oat his trees, or rasp off their bark, as the common ill bred brutes of the country are 

 sure to do if they get access to them, thus effectually destroying curculio, fruit, and tree; 

 whereas, your quiet little " Tussers" will graze among the trees, nosing over the fruit, 

 and " using up" the grub. 



After leading tliis paper, I beg your readers not to suppose that I have these, or any 

 other pigs to sell, as I have not. I write this solely pro bono publico, and to do justice to 

 the good taste of my fiiend, Mr. Jackson, as well as to advise all my horticultural friends 

 to get good pigs when they get any. Your Suffolk pig, and your Essex pig are also quiet, 

 gentle creatures, and well deserve all the patronage bestowed upon them; but in all my 

 pig knowledge, I have never met with the beauty and perfection of the Middlesex pigs 

 imported and bred by Mr. Jackson. Lewis F. Allen 



Bl'ick Rock, July, 18.52. 



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