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I found an excellent breed of swine in Gloucester, recently- 

 imported from ^pain. Their black color would be with some per- 

 sons an objection ; but their shape and thrift and good humor, an 

 essential to thrift, were admirable. 



In an exact experiment, made by myself a few years since in this 

 county, the largest gain ascertained was more than three pounds live 

 weight ; that is, 57 lbs. in 18 days. This was obtained on pure 

 Indian hasty pudding. This was extraordinary, and not to be usually 

 calculated upon. Two pounds live weight is a great gain. A far- 

 mer in Newbury stated to me, that he purchased a hog in October, 

 weighing 60 lbs., and killed him in the ensuing March, weighing GOO 

 lbs. This was an extraordinary gain ; but the kind of feed was not 

 stated. This farmer usually buys shoats at seven months old, and 

 keeps them one year upon an average of three quarts of corn per day. 

 A gain of a pound per day, dead weight, supposing corn to be one 

 dollar per bushel and pork ten cents per pound, will fully pay the 

 expense. The manure, where the styes are well littered, and the hogs 

 are not compelled to make bricks without straw, will amply compen- 

 sate for the attendance and care. A very excellent manager states, 

 that a peck of meal, scalded or cooked for feeding swine, is equal in 

 value to one and a half peck in a raw state. 



The Gloucester Alms-House the last year fattened nine hogs, 

 weight 2774 lbs. ; wt. 306 ^ lbs. each. The general failure of 

 the corn crops for two past years is strongly indicated by the 

 condition of the styes through the county. The average weight re- 

 turned tome of swine, fattened at 18 months old, is from 300 to 350 

 lbs. A farmer in Manchester states, that, in his experience, barley 

 meal for fattening swine is of equal value, pound for pound, as Indian 

 meal. This I have before remarked ; and it is fully confirmed by 

 the experience of the intelligent Superintendent of the Farm School, 

 near Boston, who has communicated with me on the subject. 



NEAT CATTLE. 



Essex County is not a grazing territory. Few cattle are raised 

 in it. The stock generally to be found in it is what is called our 

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