ABOUT FRUITS, FLOWERS AND FARMING. 43 



The first lot is of the true land-shark breed, and will 

 average, say one hundred and twenty-five pounds; the 

 second lot are of a better breed, and will average two hun 

 dred pounds ; the third hundred are of a choice breed and 

 average three hundred pounds. If the market happen to 

 be heavy, the first lot can hardly be sold ; the second lot 

 sells moderately well, the third lot goes promptly and at a 

 shade higher price. jSTow what is the difference of profit ? 

 If pork is selling for two dollars the hundred, the first hun 

 dred hogs bring two hundred and fifty dollars. The second, 

 four hundred dollars; and the third, six hundred dollars. 

 That is, a difference of breeds makes a difference in profit, 

 feeding and labor being the same in both cases, between the 

 first and last lot, of three hundred and fifty dollars. But it 

 will be more than this, for hogs averaging three hundred 

 pounds will command twenty-five cents in the hundred more 

 than those weighing a hundred and twenty-five pounds. The 

 price which a farmer will get, then, for his hundred acres of 

 corn, depends upon what his hogs can do for him. One sort 

 of hogs can make up a fourth more fat than others, and ano 

 ther can make up still a fourth more than these. If you 

 owned a mill, which of two millers would you choose the 

 one who could make forty pounds of flour to the bushel, 

 or the one who could make forty-five the quality being 

 equally good ? Of two acres of land, which would you 

 choose the one which would yield fifteen bushels of 

 wheat, or the one which, with the same cultivation, would 

 yield thirty? Our farmers are willing enough to hunt 

 for good lands ; but why, on the same reasons, should they 

 not hunt for the best breeds of cows, cattle hogs, and 

 horses? 



4. As to the different varieties which are cried up, we 

 have no interest in urging one more than another upon the 

 public. It is all one to us whether Hereford, Devon, or 

 Durham, prevail ; Woburn, Byfield or Berkshire. All that 

 we ask is that farmers should aim to procure the best. Their 



