136 MASSACHUSETTS AGEICULTURE. 



all competition at defiance. With many of onr farmers, es- 

 pecially those not engaged in doing business, it has become 

 a serious question whether it is not more profitable to buy 

 their pork and hams abroad, rather than to grow or buy corn, 

 and raise and fatten their pigs at home. 



In the profitable raising of swine there are some essential 

 requisites. Attention should be given to the style of hog, 

 and his feeding qualities, and also to the method of feeding. 

 An animal of moderate size, quiet disposition, rapid growth, 

 and early maturity is easily fattened, and would suit us much 

 better than the larger and more restless breeds, which are great 

 consumers, and require longer time for perfection. A cross 

 between some of the larger and smaller breeds will be likely to 

 combine the larger appetite and stronger digestion of the one, 

 with the smaller body and quicker fattening properties of the 

 other. A strong constitution, united to a quicker growth, 

 is thus secured, and also greater chances of profit. The hog 

 that gives the greatest weight in the least time, with the least 

 cost, " between the cradle and the grave," is unquestionably 

 the best. 



The excrementitious matter of swine, next to night-soil, is 

 the richest and most stimulating for plant-food, of all our 

 domestic animals, and it should be carefully husbanded ; but 

 the health and comfort of the hog used for human food, should 

 never be sacrificed on such a filthy altar. It is questionable 

 whether a great deal of the alleged unhealthfulness of pork 

 may not find a solution in the filthy manner in which the ani- 

 mal is often compelled to live, and the unwholesome garbage 

 on which he is fed. We know that the conservative property 

 of the hog's stomach is wonderfully powerful in overcoming 

 the bad efiect of poor food, yet we should prefer that the ani- 

 mals we eat should be fed with sweet, sound, wholesome food, 

 and live in clean, comfortable quarters. The physical com- 

 fort of the hog is certainly worthy of more attention. His 

 highest thrift and profit depend upon it, and neglect here as 

 certainly tells, as when practised on a Jersey or a Durham. 

 The manure-cellar under the barn is generally considered " a 

 capital place to keep hogs," especially " store-hogs." All the 

 excrement of the cattle and horses is thrown into it ; straw 

 and dirt may be added to some extent, and the hogs are there 



