148 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER, 



of the merino blood excluiled liiin from coming in; deuce in tiieir abilities to discharge the high 

 competition with the native rams for premiums, dnties imposed upon them, they innst he permil- 

 A merino ram of la'.-ge size was exiiibited by Mr ted to remark, tljat, in their opinion, to be a jndge 

 Charles E. Miles of Slirewsbnry, but for fineness of Swine, is an honor which might well saiisfy 

 of fleece not quite equal to those of Messrs New- the cravings of the most aspiring ambition. Nor 

 ton and VVdliams. A large handsomely formed I is this all. Their duties, on this occiisioii, liave 



native ram was exhibited by Mr Holloway Baily of 

 Norlhborough. Four very handsome merino ewes 

 by Mr Samuel Sawyer of Sterling. Two fine 

 rams by Mr C. Wheelock, Soutlibridge. One of 

 these, a very fine woolled animal, being a cross of 

 the merino and Saxony in equal parts. The other 

 ram was of a large size and of a mixed descent 

 from the common merino and Saxony breeds. 



The reports concludes as follows : ' The com- 

 mittee have much pleasure in remarking the great 

 interest that is manifested by the several gentle- 

 men offering sheep for premiums for the improve- 

 ment of tl)e quality of their animals. There are 

 probable at the present time but few flocks in Eu- 

 rope whose fleeces excel in points of fineness those 

 of our own country's growth, and the time is not 

 far distant they hope when all the wool wanted 

 for our manufacturers will be grown by our own 

 farmers. 



Wm. N. Gbekn, Chairman. 



ON WORKING OXEN. 



Tvventyfive pairs were entered for premiums ; 

 twenty strove for the mastery, and five retired 

 from the contest. Although the committee have 

 for many years witnessed tlie trial of strength they 

 have never seen the contest so equally balanced. 

 All the cattle weie of a superior cast and display- 

 ed unprecedented power and fine discipline. Tlie 

 whip was little used and little needed. They 

 awarded to Stephen Marsh, Jun. of Sutton, the 1st 

 premimn of$12. To Thomas liarbuck of Sutton 

 the 2.1 premium of. $10. To James Taylor Sutton 

 the 3d premium of S3 and to Arnold L. Allen of 

 Shrewsbury, the fourth premiimi of $5. The 

 4 years old cattle of Mr John Spurr of Charlton, 

 entitled their owner to a gratuity of 84. The 6 

 years old cattle of Mr Silas Allen, Jun. of Shrcw.«. 

 bury, and the 5 years old cattle of Mr Tyler Car- 

 penter of Sutlon were beauiiful, and on any other 

 occasion might have stood without a rival. This 

 report was signed, Alexander Dustin, Chair- 

 man. 



The Report on Swine, like that on Manufac- 

 tures is replete with humor which some critics 

 may perhaps think misplaced and misapplied. 

 But we like a little tomato ketchup to season more 

 solid viands ; ami do not perceive why Judges of 

 Srt'ine need to assume, as badges of oflicial <ligni- 

 ty, faces as long as the phizzes of tlie animals, 

 which come witliitt their jurisdicliou. 



ON SWINE. 



The judges of Swine, Report, that the duties 

 assigned to them on this occjision, have been 

 attended to with peculiar pli-asure. Besides the 

 general satisfaction, which they must of course, 

 feci, in common with tlie other members of the 

 Society, at the success which continues to attend 

 the operations of the association, they cannot Imt 

 take to themselves at the same time, a degree of 

 honest pride, that they in particular, should 



brought them into close connexion with a most 

 lovely portion of the animal creation. What 

 animal for instance, can compare with the hog in 

 personal neatness ? Where else can be found 

 such gravity and dignity of demeanor ? Who 

 las not looked, with admiration, on the wonderful 

 elongation of countenance, which the most pleas- 

 urable sensations can never distort into a smile ? 

 Who ever heard of a hog-laugh ? The little cross 

 accidents, which constitute so large a part of the 

 sum of our miseries, can never disturb the calm 

 serenity of his countenance. And who can fiiil 

 to admire the elegance of his whole figure, and 

 the grace of all bis movements ? But above all, 

 who has not listened, with the most excruciating 

 interest, to the harmony of his voice ? Who has 

 not felt, when listening to his shrillest notes, as if 

 he were ' al' ear,' 



' And took in strains, that might create a soul 

 Under the ribs of death? ' 



' Scylla wept, 

 And chid her barking waves into attention, 

 And fell Charybdis inuniiur'd soft applause.' 

 But, notwithstanding all the amiable qualities of 

 this most interesting beast, it cannot he disguised, 

 that he has been subjected to the most unmerited 

 abuse. He has been slandered most foully. One 

 class of the human family has been allowed to 

 usurp the sovereignty of his name. The misera- 

 ble drunkard, instead of receiving an appropriate 

 appellation, has, by common consent, been digni- 

 fied with the name of hog ; and the scene of his 

 disgusting orgies has, most unaptly, been called 

 a stye. 



This is wrong and oppressive, not to say un- 

 cnnslitutional, as all must allow ; but your Com- 

 mittee have found themselves unable, (considering 

 the great diversity of opinion, which jirevails, 

 al the present day, on almost eyery subject of 

 general interest,) to defise any plan, which seems 

 likely to furnish a complete remedy for the evil. 

 They suggested to xUeir prolegts the expediency 

 of nullification, but the idea did not strike them 

 at all favorably. An appeal to the Supreme Court 

 was recommended, but claiming to be themselves 



Nov. 23, 1S31. 



to the boars, of which there were 8 oflered for 

 preniium; 2 by Abel Warren of Nortliboro' ; 2 

 by Lewis Bigclow, 2 by John W. Lincoln, 1 by 

 Geo. A. Trumball, and I by Wm. Eaton, all of 

 Worcester. A very jiretty little animal, too young 

 fiir premium, was sent in, fi>r exhibition only, by 

 Ephraini Child, for which he deserves thanks. 

 All were good, hilt not eipially so. One of Mr 

 Lewis Bigelow's boars, 6^ months old, was con- 

 sidered the best, and the judges, therefore, award 

 to him the 1st premium of .$5. They had more 

 difliiiilty in deciding, who was entitled to the 

 next premium, but finally awarded to Geo A. 

 Tniuibull, for his hoar, 6 months and 7 days old, 

 the 2d |)remium of $3. The judges respectfully 

 recommend an allowance for his travel, to Mr 

 Wauen of Northboro ', as his animals certainly 

 are deserving of much praise. 



The Judges found in the pens, 5 breeding 

 sows, owned, one each, by Oliver Fiske, Newell 

 Rice, Wm. Eaton, Moses and Samuel Perry, and 

 John W. Lincoln. They were all, without ex- 

 ception, beautiful females; but the one owned 

 by Mr Rice was thought to be decidedly the 

 handsomest, and tlie Judges, therefore, award to 

 him the 1st premium of $5. The sow, owned 

 by Mr Lincoln, was in high flesh and doubts 

 were expressed whether she svonld be on that ac- 

 count, so good a breeder ; but she had too many 

 good ])oints to be passed over, and the Judges, 

 therefore, award to Mr Lincoln the 2d premium 

 of $3. Dr Fiskc's sow, also, is a very fine one, 

 and the judges had evidence, that she is a capital 

 breeder, having had at the age of 28 months, 4 

 litters of pigs, in all 44, but was not thought to 

 be quite equal, on the whole, to those for which 

 the premiums have been awarded. 



The .veaned pigs, being in all 37, were, with 

 few exceptions, particularly beautiful. 8 were 

 owned by Messrs Salisbury and Williams, 2 by 

 Rufus Barrows, 2 by Ephraim Child, 3 by Newell 

 Rice, 8 by Samuel Harrington, Jr,2 by Wm. Eaton, 

 10 by Samuel Harrington, Jr and Elbridge Hewitt, 

 and 2 by John W. Lincoln, all of Worcester. 

 The Judges walked from pen to pen, and es- 

 amined again and again, and were finally obliged 

 to decide, not without some misgivings as to the 

 correctness of their decisions. They thought, 

 that two of Newell Rice's pigs, on the whole, 

 were the best, and they award to him the Isl 

 premium of $3. They selected 2 from the lot of 



sovereign and independent, they thought it nnsale ^ ■ . at c ri ., i av,ii;„„.. 



^*' , . .' . ... . ., I 8 be oni'ing to Messrs Salisbury and Williams 



to refer their grievances to that tribunal, more \ , . , " °^ ,, , ■' j i . „j 



,, ,111 . ij .1 , •. „ wnch, they final y agreed, were second best, and 



especia V as I lev had been told, that it was a ' -^i. , ° ,' , , ,i„. ' .u. 



P' 

 mere tool of the Government. The .•slablishm 

 of a newspaper, in which their claims should be 

 advocated, was hinted at ; but, in reply to this 

 suirgesiion, they said something about liollowheart- 

 ed friendship, which your committee did not ex- 

 actly understand. On the whole, no plan could 

 be hit upon, which seemed more likely to effect 

 ilieir object, than a convention of swine, to be 

 a.ssembled at some suitable time and place, where 

 tl-.e whole subject-matter could be fully discussed 

 and considereil. The first business of the meet- 

 in" would, of course, be to nominate suitable 

 candidates for office ; but the main object would 

 iieen "selected for the commanding situation whi(di[be to pass resolves embracing the following sen- 

 they this day occupy. Far be it from them to ! timent : If any man shall, knowingly and wit- 

 magnify the importance of their office, and still i tingly, speak evil of a hog, he ought never after- 

 farilier be it from them to draw invidious com- 1 wards to have a rasher of bacon for bis breakfast, 

 paiisons between their duties and those of their The exhibition of Swine was large and very 

 less fortunate coworkers ; but, with all becoming satisfactory. The whole number was 54. 

 liumility, and with all suitable expressions of diffi. I The attention of the judges was first directed 



J thev accordinirlv award to these ;::ntlemen the 

 nl \ J ^ Jin 



2d premium of .f2. 



'The Judges may have erred in their opinion, 

 but tliey can only say, they have endeavored to 

 judge rightly. 



Very few of the owfters of the swine were* 

 seen by the Judges, so that they could not ask 

 questions as to the feci!, &c, which they would 

 have done, could they have had the opportunity. 

 All of which is respectfully submitted. 



By order. Waldo Fli.nt, Chairman. 



CATTLE SHOW AT NORTHAMPTON, 



October 2Gth and'ilth, 1831. 



premiums awarded. 



On BuiZs— Elislia Ashley, West Springfield, 



$6 ; Aaron Brown, Hatfield, 5 ; Roswell Field, 



Leverett, 4 ; Charles Cooley, Sunderland, 3. 



Bull Calves — Horace Cole, Chesterfield, 2 ; 

 Pliny Merrit, Conway, 1. 



