408 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc 



COMMERCIAL PORK MAKING AND PIG RAISING IN 



NEW ENGLAND. 



BY A. A. SOUTHWICK, FARM SUPERINTENDENT, STATE INSANE ASYLUM, 



TAUNTON, MASS. 



The que.stion might be asked why we should engage in 

 this industry in Massachusetts and New England generally, 

 and the only answer can be, because there is an unlimited 

 demand for the products of this immense and growing in- 

 dustry. Another reason is that our climate seems to be an 

 ideal one for the thrift and general health of this class of an- 

 imals. Again, I am most happy to say that we have right 

 here the best grain-growing, location in the world. True, 

 many will say the hired help prol)lem nmst be solved before 

 we can branch out very much in carrying out an idea which 

 would probably be considered an experiment with most 

 farmers. To the doubting minds we would say, make a 

 beginning, and the problem will solve itself. 



Breed. 



The question of breed is certainly an important one, be- 

 cause u})<)n this, in many instances, will depend the value 

 of the output. In a general way, a cla.ss of animals never 

 should be chosen just because of the fancy of the owner. In 

 every instance cater to the tastes of your patrons, because it 

 is through them that your bank account will increase. 



The hog, throughout the west, is universally termed the 

 mortgage lifter; and the lard Jiog, so called, is most easily 

 produccid by the hundreds of thousands ; but the bacon hog, 

 the animal that produces the high-pi'iced meat for our rap- 

 idly growing and fastidious population, is there a minus 

 quantity. This being the case, there is every reason, and 



