an 
oe 
322 
The small numbers in Kansas and Nebraska, in comparison with those 
of Iowa and Illinois, prevent their large percentage of increase from 
affecting materially the average of depreciation. These eight States 
hold about 52 per cent. of the swine of the United States, and, in point 
of value, probabiy two-thirds of the whole, and supply to commerce 
nearly all of its pork-products for home-distribution and exportation, 
the swine of other States being used mainly for family or neighborhood 
supplies. Upon the supply of these eight States of the West, in con- 
junction with the corn-supply, must, therefore, depend the quantity for 
commercial distribution and the ruling prices for the season. The de- 
cline in numbers throughout the country averages 2.6 per cent.; in the 
pork-packing district, 5 per cent. 
In some localities scarcity of stock, occasioned by extraordinary in- 
ducements for fattening during the past winter and spring, is assigned 
as a cause for decrease in numbers; but the general and chief cause re- 
ported for reduction in both numbers and condition is the prevalence 
of disease, usually designated as hog-cholera. North of the Potomae 
and east of the Ohio the only instance reported is in Snyder, Pennsyl- 
vania, where some farmers have lost nearly all. Disastrous effects of the 
disease on numbers and condition are reported in North Carolina— 
Chowan, Gates, and Pitt; Georgia—Hlbert, Randolph, and Fulton; Flor- 
ida—Hamilton, Jackson, and Suwannee; Alabama—Madison, Conecuh, 
and Dallas; Mississippi—Greene and Choctaw; Texas—Colorado, Ti- 
tus, Kaufman; Tennessee—Monroe and Bedford, (50 per cent. have 
died, but the survivors in good condition ;) Kentucky—Garrard, Marion, 
and Spencer; Ohio—Warren, Henry, and Greene; Indiana—Decatur, 
De Kalb, Shelby, and Marion; Ilinois—Jackson, Mercer, and White; 
Jowa—Crawford and Washington; Missouri—Crawford, Henry, Pitts, 
Cole, Holt, and Randolph. Returns from other counties in Missouri, 
Iowa, and some other States, note the presence of cholera, so called, but 
not occasioning serious loss or injury. On the other hand, there is in 
some localities an improvement in numbers and condition, because of 
freedom from cholera where it had previously prevailed. Its compara- 
tive absence gives promise of a large increase over last year in Gadsden, 
Florida. In Richland, Louisiana, where, except on large farms, plenty 
of pork will be made, hogs are young and small, because of cholera for 
several years past; but this year there is no disease among them. 
The return from Franklin, Ohio, states that there is a reduction 
of 10 per cent., owing to the prevalence of cholera last year, of which 
there are still some remains, and adds: “ If all feeders would separate 
their hogs into small lots, give plenty of room, and keep the lots clean, 
I think hog-cholera would soon cease.” 
An abundant mast-crop is reported in various localities in Virginia, 
West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Texas, and Arkansas. In Floyd, 
Virginia, ‘‘ hogs will get fat in the woods, and millions of bushels of 
acorns and chestnuts will go to waste for want of hogs to eat them,” 
and in Buchanan all oaks are loaded with mast. In Greenbrier, West 
Virginia, “‘a heavy mast-crop will more than make up for the deficiency 
in the corn-crop.” In Kentucky, the finest mast-crop ever known is 
reported in Marion ; also, in Owsley, “ but no hogs to eat it ;” also, re- 
markably fine in Livingston, upon which hogs ‘ will get fat.” In Floyd, 
Indiana, the oak, hickory, walnut, and chestnut trees are all loaded with 
nuts. 
Notes of correspondents in the Southern States confirm the figures by 
frequent references, not onky to increased numbers the present season, 
