1858.] SENATE— No. 4. 127 



SWINE 



Formed the fourth class in the arrangement of the schedule of 

 premiums, the third being occupied by sheep. 



According to official statistics returned in 1845, there were 

 then 104,740 swine in this State, valued at 1917,435. For 

 some reason or other this number had fallen off to such an 

 extent, that in 1855 there were but 51,113, valued at $5581,536.71. 

 But tliough the number of these useful animals has so much 

 diminished, there can be no doubt that the quality has improved 

 with the greatly increased interest in breeding now generally 

 manifested. The specimens entered in the division of larger 

 breeds, were mostly Essex. The old Essex was a small hog, 

 but by crossing with the Neapolitan and the black Chinese, 

 Lord Western, of Essex, produced an admirable breed known 

 as the improved Essex, which possesses great merits, and has 

 often carried off the palm from the Berkshires, during the last 

 ten years. Their color is black, the nose short, the neck thick 

 and short, with small, sharp ears, the limbs short and fme boned. 

 They fatten easily, and their flesh is well mixed and fine grained. 

 On good feed they arrive at considerable weight ; but rarely, 

 when fat, exceed 300 pounds, and would scarcely average over 

 250 pounds. Tliough the improved Essex is black in color, yet 

 the skin is said to dress quite white in scalding. The Essex 

 pigs have many of the fine points of the Suffolks. 



The Cumberland is a very fine breed, but their origin is not 

 very well known. Our larger breeds are mostly of the Berk- 

 shire or Middlesex or Mackay stock, or crosses with them. 



The farmer's object is to breed for profit, generally, but the 

 most profitable hog to one man, in one locality, may not be the 

 most profitable to another under different circumstances. As 

 a general thing, however, the farmer wants more size than the 

 pure Suffolk attains, united with the fine points and the feeding 

 qualities of the Suffolks. The pure Suffolk boar with a large and 

 thrifty sow, generally produces a valuable and profitable animal, 

 much better adapted to our wants, than the pure Suffolk. 



The premiums offered for swine of large breed, were as 

 follows : For boars — 



Two years old and upwards — 1st premium $10 ; 2d, ^8 ; 3d, .^5. 

 One year old and upwards — 1st premium, $8 ; 2d, $5 ; 3d, ^3. 



