DIGEST OF STATE REPORTS. 475 



afford six or seven parts of potash-soap of a moderate consistence. From its cheap- 

 ness, strength, and superior solubility, potash-soap is prefen-ed for many purposes, par- 

 ticularly for the sconriug of woolens. 



The lyes prepared for making soft soaps should be made very strong, and of two den- 

 sities, as the pi-ocess of making potash or soft soap differs materially from that of 

 making soda or hard soap. A portion of the oil or fat being placed in the boiling-pan 

 and heated to near the boiling-point of water, a certain portion of the weaker lye is 

 introduced and the Hre kept up so as to bring the mixture to the boiling-point ; then 

 some more oil and lye are introduced alternately, until the pan is filled. The boiling 

 is continued gently, st»ong lye being added until the saponification is complete. The 

 fire should then be removed, and some good soap, previously made, added while cool- 

 ing down, to prevent any change by evaporation. One jiound of oil requires about 

 one-third of a pound of American potash, and will make one and three-quarters to two 

 liounds of well-boiled soap, containing about 40 per cent, of water. Sixty pounds of 

 lard will make 100 pounds of first-class soft-soap by using one and a half cans of con- 

 centrat-ed lye, which is made from salt, and is really a soda-lye. 



The first annual meeting of the State swine breeders' association met 

 in Springfield on the 3d day of January, 1870, and held a two days' ses- 

 sion. The meeting was well attended, and a lively interest seemed to 

 be taken in the discussion of all subjects relating to swine-breeding and 

 pork-raising. A committee on statistics was appointed to collect such 

 information as might be thought useful in the advancement of the inter- 

 ests and the protection of the breeders of swine and pork-raisers of the 

 State. Much general information was obtained by those present from 

 public and private discussions upon the subject of feeding, breeding, 

 erection of proper buildings, and the management of hogs. The follow- 

 ing is a synopsis of the general points discussed : 



1st. It was the universal opinion that during the season of low prices, 

 a greater exertion should be put forth to improve the quality of stock, as 

 the very best means through which to realize a profit. For illustration : 

 Take pork at 85 per hundred-weiglit, as the standard. If the price shall 

 depreciate 10 or 20 per cent, annually from this, should we improve the 

 quality of animals 10 or 20 per cent., we still receive $5 per hundred- 

 weighl for the product ; but if the price should advance in the same pro- 

 portion, it would give a much larger profit. 



2d. It was the general conviction that the breeding of all the various 

 breeds of swine having distinction should be encouraged, as deteriora- 

 tion would most likely follow if confined to but one or two of the most 

 j)opular. 



3d. The best mode of treating sows after farrowing was believed to be 

 to give them food that would create a supply of milk for the young. Im- 

 mediately after farrowing but little food should be given, except some 

 simple drink, and for several days thereafter judgment should be used 

 in feeding, giving food in moderate quantities until the pigs are a week 

 old, when a more liberal amount may be given. Young pigs should be 

 taught to eat as soon as possible. 



4th. Young pigs, after weaning, should have the best care, and the 

 best food should be given them. Milk, sweet or sour, with a little meal, 

 or oats and corn ground together, will be found excellent, if properly 

 fed, and the young pigs allowed plenty of exercise. 



5th. It was believed that more profit could be realized by turning pigs 

 into market at the age of from nine to fourteen months, than at any 

 other age. 



Gth. The plan of feeding best calculated to realize the greatest profit 

 would depend upon circumstances. First, the price of grain ; second, 

 the expense of grinding ; third, the cost of feed. If the two latter re- 

 quirements can be cheaply done, it may be made a source of profit. If 

 too expensive, shelled and soaked corn will pay much better than to feed 



