64 SWINE. 



tected, even when the animal is slaughtered and almost always un- 

 suspected till then ? In short, may not adventitious circumstances 

 have often, most undeservedly, given complexion to our ideas of the 

 value of our breeds of Swine ? 



If a distinguished theologian at the commencement of the present 

 century could say, "It is for want of information that we see so 

 many new things," may it not be for the same reason that such an 

 otherwise unacountable diversity of opinions on the subject of the 

 breeds of our Swine, continues to prevail and to keep up the confu- 

 sion. A good judge of stock, it may be, and a known friend to its 

 improvement, has a pure Suffolk hog that does not and will not 

 thrive; and the same pen may contain an "old fashioned" hog 

 that does thrive. In this state of things he receives a circular from 

 the Commissioner on Patents containing the usual inquiry, " What 

 is the best breed of hogs ? He sits down and writes for answer just 

 about what has developed itself in his own sty. This goes 

 into the annual Agricultural Report of the department, and is thence 

 sent out over the whole country. It is by no means intimated that 

 this is always or even often the case, but when it is, of how much 

 value is the document ? 



The following from the Agriculture of Massachusetts, for 1853, 

 compiled by our indefatigable Secretary, Mr. Flint, page 364, will 

 show how little reliance can be placed upon opinions often formed 

 and expressed upon this subject. The question put to gentlemen in 

 different parts of the country contained in the United States Com- 

 missioner's circular, was, " What is the best breed of hogs?" and 

 says the writer, " New Hampshire answers " the Suffolk ;" Con- 

 necticut, " a mixture of the old fashioned hog with Berkshire and 

 the China breed does very well;" New York, by three of her 

 citizens, separately, says, " Berkshiresand Leicesters ;" New Jer- 

 sey answers, " a cross with the Berkshires ;" Pennsylvania says, 

 " a cross of the Berkshires and Chester County ;" Virginia says, 

 " Irish Grazier and mixed Berkshire are our common stock ;" 

 Georgia answers, " the best breeds for the cHmate are the Woburn 

 and Grazier ;" Mississippi says, " the best hogs I have tried are 

 the Berkshires ;" Texas, " Irish Grazier ;" Tennessee says, " the 

 common old Grazier mixed with the Hindoo breed.'' And without 

 following the language too literally, it may be added, that while 

 Kentucky is satisfied with the " Woburn" only, her more voracious 



