49 



BREEDING SOWS. 



T. O. VVardwell, No. Andover, Essex Sow, first premium, $io; 

 T O. Wardwell, North Andover, Berkshire Sow, second premi- 

 um, $6. 



It is evident that a new interest has been awakened in regard 

 to the keeping of swine by the farmers of Essex County, not 

 only in numbers which you see at the Fair, but also in the im- 

 proved breeds. Among the entries are Columbia County, Ches- 

 ter Whites, Yorkshire, French, Berkshire and Essex, many of 

 them of them of superior merit, probably the largest show of 

 swine that has ever been exhibited at the Essex County Fair, at 

 least for a number of years. 



And it was with some difficulty that your Committee come at 

 any unanimity of opinion in making the awards. Some object- 

 ing to the Columbia County and Chester breeds because they 

 looked so large and coarse ; the Yorkshire, too lank and no 

 bristles, while others disliked the Berkshire and Essex because 

 so small and black. No doubt each one of the Committee would 

 relish a good cooked ham from either breed, or what is better in 

 regard to the pigs, agree with Charles Lamb, who in one of his 

 essays declares "of all the delicacies of the whole mundane edi- 

 bles, roast pig to be the most delicate." 



But whatever difference of opinion your Committee may have 

 had, they good naturedly agreed that the majority should rule. 



In regard to the profit of keeping swine there is a wide differ- 

 ence of opinion. I am satisfied in my own mind that there is a 

 profit, whether the object be the raising of pigs, store hogs or 

 pork. Spring pigs almost always bring a good price, and as a 

 rule I believe fat hogs do. One of the exhibitors at the present 

 Fair sold his weaned pigs for fifteen dollars apiece, and good fat 

 hogs are selling for twelve and one-half cents per pound. Sure- 

 G 



