SECRETARY'S REPORT. 67 



PROFIT OF GROWING MEAT. 



Mr. Stedman, from the committee on the profit and expedi- 

 ency of growing meat in this Commonwealth, submitted the 



REPORT: 



The subject here presented seems to contain two distinct 

 points, viz. : 1st, Is the production of meat as an article of 

 food profitable to the farmers of Massachusetts, and 2d, 

 whether in itself considered it yield a direct profit, or not, is it 

 expedient to pursue it as a branch of husbandry, in connection 

 with the advantages it affords in returning to the farm a large 

 amount of the most valuable manure ? 



With regard to the question of profit, there exists much 

 diversity of opinion ; one individual claiming that the cost of 

 producing a pound of meat of any kind is twice that of its sell- 

 ing price ; while another is equally sure that between the cost 

 of production and the market value, there exists a large margin 

 as profit ; and these conclusions, so widely different, may each 

 be correct in particular cases, while, taken as a standard, 

 neither is entitled to the least credit. 



We do not now claim that the interests of Massachusetts 

 farmers will be best promoted by engaging largely in the pro- 

 duction of meat as a prime object. Yet, as a secondary, and, 

 in connection with other branches, it is both profitable and 

 expedient. 



For example : In connection with the dairy, (which we 

 admit should be a leading feature in Massachusetts hus- 

 bandry,) the production of pork, or the raising of calves, to be 

 sooner or later brought to the shambles, are indispensable 

 requisites. 



Which of the two will prove most profitable, must be decided 

 by each individual, according to circumstances, though a 

 blending of the two may be found most advantageous. 



We might cite reported examples of the production of pork 

 at enormous profits. But this is not our purpose. Neither 

 have we sufficient data to give reliable estimates of the average 

 cost of its production. As already intimated, its production 

 should be mainly to consume the refuse of the dairy and the 

 kitchen, and while doing this the growing swine should be 



