55 



hogg remained in the enclosure seventy days, when their 

 work was finished, and they were removed. The land 

 was then harrowed, and stones sufficient to make sixteen 

 rods of wall were taken. from it. It was then drained, 

 and sowed with red-top and timothy grass seed, and in 

 the spring with clover seed. The crop of hay that has 

 been taken from it has amounted to the average sum of 

 two and a half tons per acre since its renovation. 



The first cost of the swine was, $76,00 



The expense of keeping them on this land, 42,00 

 The further expense of keeping them until 



sold, 25,88 



Whole cost, $143,88 



They were sold for, $152,62, leaving a net gain of 



$8,74. 



My experience has driven away the old notion that I 

 was wont to entertain — and one which is yet held by 

 too many of my brother farmers — that we should " let 

 well enough alone." A consideration of the progress 

 we witness in other pursuits, requires us to experiment 

 in our calling, and to read the accounts of the experi- 

 ments of others. To this end, we should patronize 

 agricultural societies, and agricultural publications, and 

 thus endeavor to become acquainted with the theory 

 and science of our profession, no less than with its 

 practice. In this way we may give dignity and popu- 

 larity to that too much rejected occupation, which is, in 

 reality, at the foundation of the world's temporal hope 

 and blessings. 



