102 ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



at 6| cents per lb., (at which price it was sold,) amounting to 

 one hundred forty-one dollars fifty-seven cents, leaving a bal- 

 ance against the pigs, of seven dollars and forty-two cents. 

 These pigs were fed three times a day on meal and water, and 

 properly cared for in every respect; and, in similar circum- 

 stances, it is but fair to expect the same results, and shall we, 

 from tiiese results, conclude that pork cannot be fattened in Es- 

 sex county without loss 1 I think it cannot, when the farmer pur- 

 chases his pigs in the spring at a high price, and his corn at any 

 price, though it may be the lowest market price, looking entirely, 

 for his return, to the market value of his hogs. Out there is 

 another return, in the shape of manure, that will repay him for all 

 the trouble he has, and richly too, if proper care has been taken 

 to throw them occasionally a load of mud, soil, or something of 

 the kind, which they convert into the best and richest of manures. 

 I am convinced, that it would be better and more profitable for 

 the farmer to raise his own pigs, and not give the profit to the 

 drover. Certainly, if he cannot afford to fatten and sell pork 

 at 6| cents per lb., he cannot afford to buy pigs alive for 7 cents 

 per lb. 



Danvers, November 13, 1848. 



Comparative Value of Crops, &c. 



The committee on the "comparative value of crops as food 

 for cattle," regret that it is not in their power to award the liberal 

 premiums offered. These offers have been before the public for 

 several years, without awakening that attention in the minds of 

 cultivators their importance demands. When we take into 

 view the fact, that so large a portion of the time of the farmer, 

 both in summer and winter, is occupied in securing or distrib- 

 uting the food of his cattle ; it cannot be otherwise than a mat- 

 ter of deep interest, to regulate this labor to the best advantage. 

 If, therefore, by any suggestions in our power to offer, valuable 

 information may be elicited or disseminated, we shall, in part at 

 least, have discharged our duty. If we can be so fortunate, as 



