MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



SWINE. 



MIDDLESEX NORTH. 



From the Report of the Committee on Swine. 



The Mackay breed, which the committee are disposed to place 

 at the head of swine in New England, was originated from 

 thirty-five to forty years ago by Capt. John Mackay, a Boston 

 sea-captain, who owned a farm in Weston of this county. In his 

 voyages he picked up the best specimens of swine he could find 

 in various parts of the world, and bred them together on his 

 farm ; from time to time, as he made desirable acquisitions he 

 would still further raise tlie character of his breed. Some of 

 the animals thus produced were inclined to keep constantly fat, 

 from three weeks old up, and to grow to a large size, frequently 

 at eighteen months old weighing 600 pounds. From these 

 latter animals the breed was kept up. In the mean time, the 

 animals Capt. Mackay scattered through the community about 

 him were negligently cared for, and soon lost the strict charac- 

 teristics of a breed. Hence there have been many Mackays in 

 name that were almost any thing else in nature, thereby injuring 

 the reputation of the breed. In 183-4: the worthy captain sold 

 his animals to Col. Jaques, who continued the development of 

 them ; such was the heedlessness of swine raisers that some 

 twelve or fifteen years afterward the breed was found to be 

 annihilated, except in the yards of Col. Jaques. Now that it 

 has once more begun to spread through the country, may we 

 not believe that the increased interest in agricultural matters 

 will prevent its again running out ? 



In conclusion the committee would urge upon their fellow- 

 members and fellow-citizens increased attention to the rearing 

 of swine. They are aware that many persons of education and 

 otherwise, and indeed, some agricultural writers and even 

 committees on swine, have within a few years joined the Jews 

 and Mahometans in decrying and defaming the pig. They say 

 he is an unclean and unhealthy animal, and that the use of his 

 flesh leads to scrofula, consumption and various other diseases. 

 Now your committee contend that while the pig is oftentimes 

 constantly unclean, he would be otherwise if his owner would 



