432 



AGRICULTUKAL KEPORT. 



Lancashire. — Mr. M. H. Cryer, of Ohio, iu the absence of the regular 

 committee, was allovred to submit a paper upon this breed, which he 

 classes in families as Large, Short-faced, and Middle. The " Large" 

 variety characterized by great height and length, large bones, the 

 largest breed of swine known ; the " Short-faced" noted for shortness 

 betvreen the eyes and end of snout, small bones, a good coat of white 

 hair and skin, square in form, with broad back and hams well let down : 

 the "Middle" partaking of the quality of the small family and the size 

 of the large. He claimed for them aptitude for fattening at any age, a 

 strong constitution, and great power of endurance of heat and cold. 



What constitutes thoroiigh-hrcd sivine. — The committee on " What con- 

 stitutes thorough-bred swine ?" Messrs. Eoberts, Sprague, and Curtis, 

 submitted the following report : 



In the absence of any system of records by wliicli pedigrees of swine arc kept, your 

 committee can only give an expression which, from the nature of the case, must be 

 Bomewhat general. Only such breeds should rank as thorough-bred as are recognized iu 

 authentic history as of remote origin, and have steadilj^ been bred in a line, resulting 

 in the establishment of a fised type, capable of transmittiug itself with uniformity. 

 Your committee would recommend that the leading breeders of pure-bred swine form 

 breeders' clubs, for the purpose of establishing herd registries, after the plan adopted 

 by the breeders of thorougli'bred cattle, in order to secure greater uniibrmity, and to 

 perfect, as soon as possible, the various breeds. 



The indefiniteness as to the degree of remoteness of origin was ex- 

 plained by Mr. Curtis by the fact that a breed would, in five years, make 

 more i^rogress toward establishment in the hands of some breeders 

 than in twenty years in the hands of others. On the suggestion of Mr. 

 Eust, it was amended to read, " Only such breeds should rank as thor- 

 ough-bred as are recognized in authentic history as of sufficiently re- 

 mote origin that when bred in a line it shall result in the establishment 

 of a fixed type, capable of transmitting itself with uniformity." 



Scale of points. — jMj'. Curtis, from the committee on a scale of points, 

 submitted a scale, which, after modification, was agreed upon as fol- 

 lows : 



Back 10 



Long ribs 8 



Shortribs 7 



Shoulder 8 



Ham 12 



Length of body 6 



Flank 6 



Twist 



Snout 4 



Jowl o 



Face ;j Total.... 100 



Classification at fairs. — The committee to suggest a classification of 

 swine at fairs submitted tlie following report, which was adopted : 



1. Eerkshires. 



2. Poland-Chinas. , 



;5. Cheshires, Chester ^Yhites, large Yorkshires, and other large white breeds. 



4. Suffolks, small Yorkshires, Short-faced Lancashircs, and other small white breeds. 



5. Essex, Neapolitans, and all other black breeds. 



6. All crosses, and all other breeds not covered by the foregoing enumerations. 



A future convention.— PrioT to adjournment, a committee of representa- 

 tives of this body was ai^pointed to call another convention at such time 

 and place within the next few years as they may deem best. The mem- 

 bers designated were Messrs. Frank D. Curtis, of New York ; A. C. 

 iMoore, of Illinois; J. P. Roberts, of Iowa -, JohnM. Milliken, of Ohio; 

 and Charles Louder, of Indiana. 



Ear , . 

 Neck. 

 Belly. 

 Skin.. 

 Hair. 

 Bone. 

 Legs. 

 Feet.. 

 Tail.. 



