76 



has not gone astray. Yet he comes in such questionable shape 

 that your Committee Avere at a loss where to class him. He was 

 labeled South Doion ; yet it appeared almost a libel upon that in- 

 nocent race to see one of their number come with such a formid- 

 able pair of horns. 



We trust that this may be the precursor of better times coming, 

 when the subject of sheep-raising shall receive that attention 

 which its importance demands. 



Although precluded by the rules of the Society from awarding 

 a premium, the Committee were unanimous in recommending that 

 a diploma be given to Mr. George E. Holbrook, of North Wren- 

 tham, for his fine Buck, hoping that another season a sufficient 

 number may return and be presented to entitle the owner to the 

 first premium. 



For the Committee, 



CHARLES BRECK, Chairman. 

 Milton, Sept. 25, 1861. 



REPORT ON SWINE. 



[In consequence of the ^rcaX length of this Report as originally presented, the 

 Secretary has been compellerl to avail himself of the permission freely given by 

 the antlior to omit such portions as would not materially impair its practical value. 

 This necessity would be a subject for deep regret, but for the fact that the report 

 has been published in full by the newspaper press.] 



The hog is an animal so interesting in his character, so welcome 

 as an article of food among all Christian nations, and so important 

 as an article of commerce in our own country, that the Committee 

 on Swine can hardly be justified in laying before the intelHgent 

 members of this Society only a meagre outline of the awards of 

 premiums. A due respect for this Society, a respect for the ani- 

 mals whose singular merits they have learned to appreciate, and a 

 respect for themselves, require that they should say something in 

 relation to the properties and character of this interesting quad- 

 ruped. 



The wild boar, which was formerly found in great numbers in 

 Great Britain and Ireland, and was the undisputed monarch of 

 the boundless forests in France and Germany, and wandered at 

 large through uncultivated districts in all parts of Europe, was the 

 prototype of the hog, which is now domesticated and so generally 

 diffused. This animal was unknown in the New World when 

 America was discovered by Columbus, although an animal of a 

 different species, the peccary, and resembling the hog in general 



