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Of the different kinds of breeds which are popular at home and 

 abroad at this time, it may be that each one is essentially equal to 

 another in value. Some one is prized for one set of circumstances 

 and some for another ; and while few breeds are unprofitable under 

 any circumstances, even the best breeds are not good in all, and a 

 farmer in selecting his breed of pigs should have particular refer- 

 ence to their special fitness, not only to the climate in which they 

 are to be kept, but to the particular management they are to ex- 

 perience, the character of their intended food, and the precise 

 purposes for which they are ultimately destined. One breed may 

 thrive better on a farm situated on an elevated position among 

 rocks and hills, and another on the warm, sunny and sandy plain. 

 One kind may be the best to be closely imprisoned in a pen, and 

 another to be allowed to roam at large in the pastures or the 

 forest ; one to furnish pork and hams for family use, and another 

 to supply bacon and pork — to sell, like Peter Pindar's razors, 

 which were not even fit to scrape a hog. 



Therefore lot no farmer condemn generally any particular 

 breed, because it does not meet his expectations, and so far as he 

 is concerned foils short of the high reputation the breed may have 

 acquired. For this reason a hog possessing the delicate peculiar- 

 ities of the " Improved Middlesex," or the famous " Suffolk," 

 may be deservedly a favorite with many ; the stout and hardy 

 Berkshire with some, and the compact and trim-looking Mackay 

 with others. There also may be some who would prefer the 

 gigantic Cheshire, or the still more elephantine Rudgwick, which 

 sometimes reaches the enormous weight of twelve or fifteen hun- 

 dred pounds. 



There is an old proverb which says " There is no accounting 

 for tastes ; " and while some may prefer a short, fat, dumpy 

 animal, which resembles in shape, consistency and vitality, a huge 

 lump of lard, others may prefer, as a mere matter of fancy, one 

 which has some life, energy, mischief and muscle in its composi- 

 tion, which can break through a board fence, or leap over a stone 

 wall, and when hungry can set up a squeal that may be heard for 

 miles. 



It should also be borne in mind, that for reasons well known to 

 persons conversant with rearing stock, one breed of pigs will not 

 retain its excellence forever. It will inevitably deteriorate, if kept 

 pure aud unmixed, in the course of a few years, although some of 

 the characteristics may remain. Farmers will generally become 

 aware of this through experience, if they have no other teacher ; 

 and this accounts for the fact that after a few years but very few 

 specimens, pure and unmixed, of any particular breed of swine 

 are found, which once may have enjoyed a high reputation. And 

 hence the changes in the breeds of pigs which occur so frequently, 



