242 BOAI^D OF AGmCULTUUE. 



of man is reached when one is an independent tiller of the 

 soil [applause], and it is a matter of great regret in my 

 mind to-night that this is the last evening that I shall occupy 

 this official position as tho head of the Board of Agriculture 

 of Massachusetts. I have no fitting words for this occasion ; 

 but I hope that the man who follows me will have the same 

 earnestness of feoling and the same pride in his position that 

 I have had, and will enjoy the same delightful and friendly 

 relations that I have had with tho agricultural interests of 

 Massachusetts. If he does, his life will be a happy one, and 

 when he resigns his office it will be with as much pain at 

 parting as I feel to-night. 



The Chairman. Perhaps we had better now adjourn. 



Adjourned until Thursday, at 9.30. 



THIRD DAY. 



The meeting was called to order at 9.30 by Mr. Goddard. 

 The Chairman. I have the pleasure to announce a lecture 

 by Mr. Edward Burnett of Southborough. 



SWINE FOR THE HOME MARKET. 



BY iDWARD BURNETT OF SOUTHBOEOIIGH. 



Gentlemen and Fellow-Farmers, — The origin of the mod- 

 ern pig dates back only about a century, and the first cross 

 towards the remarkable improvement brought about during 

 this period was undoubtedly made by the introduction of the 

 Chinese and Siamese blood. 



From what I have read in the various English authorities 

 on this subject and from old wood-cats, this Chinese pig, 

 either white, spotted or black, was of medium size, with 

 rather a short ftice, large, coarse body, and smallish bones. 

 This animal fattened rapidly, but the flesh was inclined to 

 be soft and flabby and always very thick on the belly. The 

 cross, by a survival of the fittest and fresh importations 



