CHAP. XXIV.] FAEMING FOR LADIES. 483 



and barley, steamed, are also considered good 

 mixtures ; but although these mashes pro- 

 mote the animal's fatting, they yet do not 

 improve the firmness and consistency of the 

 bacon fat. In fact, nothing can be superior 

 to skim-milk thickened with barley-meal, and 

 white peas ; the peas being given whole, and, 

 finally, during a fortnight or three weeks' 

 time, quite dry, with pure water, and omit- 

 ting the meal. 



It is a commonly received opinion "that any 

 granivorous animal may be fattened upon any 

 species of corn or pulse ;" and this may be 

 true with regard to the amount of flesh, but 

 not so as to its flavour. Thus geese are 

 more properly fed upon oats, and turkeys on 

 barley, while bacon-hogs should ever have 

 peas ; for, as to beans, it has been long ob- 

 served that although they powerfully assist in 

 fattening any animal, they are yet found to 

 harden the flesh, while the pea renders the 

 fat of the bacon firm even to transparency, 

 without causing the lean to become tough. 

 So well known is this to experienced breeders, 

 that they, indeed, make a distinction in favour 

 of the white pea, as the grey sort, in their 

 2i2 



