366 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



My increased value was mostly on account of my having no 

 old ewes and from my fat wethers. Had the year been out in 

 April after I had sold my fat sheep, instead of March, it would 

 have given me $39 more gain on my flock. 



SWINE. 



ESSEX. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



The Committee on Swine regard the duty of awarding pre- 

 miums upon the animals presented for their inspection as im- 

 portant, and requiring the closest and most candid attention; 

 and they have endeavored to bestow such attention in the pres- 

 ent case. This duty, however, may properly be considered as 

 subordinate to the great matter constructively committed to 

 them — viz., to aid in determining what breed of swine is best 

 adapted to the County of Essex. And having disposed of the 

 matter of premiums, the committee devoted as much time to 

 the subject referred to as they were able to — without, however, 

 arriving at any conclusion fully satisfactory to themselves. It 

 is a great question, deserving the attention of every agricultu- 

 ral society ; and we arc happy to perceive it is receiving the 

 attention it deserves. 



It may be, and may remain, a general truth, that, in the lan- 

 guage of the chairman of the Hampshire County Committee of 

 last year, " no one breed is best adapted to all locations and 

 circumstances." It can hardly be credited, however, for a mo- 

 ment, that the answers to inquiries of the United States Com- 

 missioner of Patents some two years ago, making a different 

 and distinct breed necessary for almost every State, are to be 

 taken as literally true. May it not be questioned whether 

 there arc as many distinct breeds of swine as is supposed? 

 Might not a better knowledge of animal physiology aid us 

 in accounting for the fact that different breeds of swine are 



