$0 s\yiXE. 



STEEKiS THRKK VKAKS OLP. 



UiL prem. to John Brooks, Princetou, $5 0(> 



:^(j •• F. Nourse, Sterling, 4 0(» 



Grntviity to Lyman Nicliols, Fitebbiirg. 4 00 



STEERS TWO YEARS OLD. 



\hi prem. to N. B. Heed, Princeton, 4 00 



2?,fl " Lyman Nichols, Fitcbbtirg, 3 00 



<4ratuity to Georoo AVood, Leominster, 2 00 

 ALA'LX M. SAWYER, Ghairman of Com. 



SWINE. 



On arriving at the pens and wagons containing tbe subjects of our 

 investigations, it needed but a glanco to convince one that in no kind 

 of domestic animals had a greater change taken place within the last 

 thirty or forty years than in Swine. Who thought of inquiring, at that 

 time, of what breed a hog was V A pig was a pig ; if ho could eat and 

 fsqiieal, that was enough, he was all right. If he had any special 

 points of recommendation it was the extra length of the nose and legs, 

 and large size of the ears. Our first recollection of a breed of hogs, 

 was the Byfield, after which came <i«ite a number of imported breeds. 

 Among those which were received with the most favor, was the Mackey, 

 which was, undoubtedly, one of the best ever introduced in this vicin- 

 ity. The Berkshires, while they furnished most excellent hams and 

 parts for bacon and sausages, were deficient in the more important 

 parts called middlings, being thin and not of uniform thickness. There 

 h at present what is called the improved Berkshire, which meetvS with 

 .iiiore favor. The Suffolk, with their fine delicate limbs and careass, 

 were found to be too small, and inclined to fatten too early to be profi- 

 table, and they have in a great measure given place to the Essex, 

 which now appears to be the favorite for a small breofl. though many 

 object to them on account of their color, being black. Several years 

 iigo a breed originated in Chester Co., Penn., known as Chester Co., 

 or Chester Whites, which for size, early maturity, symmetry of form, 

 iiptitude to fatten at any age, has taken the rank in breeds of Swine, 

 that the Shorthorn, or Durham has among horned cattle. Some, in 

 breeding, have paid regard only to large size, have produced a large- 

 boned, thick-skinned and coarse-fleshed animal, more inclined to grow 

 than to fatten, which has not given sati. -^faction, while others, by careful 

 and judicious breeding, have produced a superior class of swine, which, 

 all things considered, is probably the best. Of thi*last class wo found 

 i\\] t^^: Swine exhibited, either Thorough-lired or grade Chester Whites. 



