SOUTHERN TOUR OF SOLON ROBINSON, ETC. 
333 
MR. MORRIS' SALE OF STOCK. 
This sale came off, as advertised, at Mount 
Fovdham, on the 13th of October. We got there 
at one o'clock, P. M., and found the animals tied 
up at convenient distances for inspection, in rows, 
along the north and west sides of the lawn, in 
front of the house. They were in fine condition, 
and presented a highly gratifying sight to the lovers 
of improved stock. Upwards of one hundred and 
fifty gentlemen had already assembled, and were ex- 
amining the stock with marked attention. Sufficient 
time for this being given, Mr. Morris invited the 
company into his elegant mansion, to a lunch. This 
was set out in the large dining room, and being 
choice and abundant, the company partook of it 
with no little gusto. When finished, all adjourned 
again to the lawn, and the sale commenced. The 
bidding was spirited, and nearly forty head were 
disposed of in about an hour and a half. The 
highest price obtained for cows was $92.50 ; for 
heifers, $80. The average price per head was 
nearly $60. When we consider that most of the 
animals put up were a cross of the shorthorn on 
the Dutch, and that this was the first attempt of 
Mr. Morris at a public sale, we think the bids 
tolerably fair ; though we doubt whether any one 
in this vicinity, could afford to breed such stock at 
these prices. But we must hope for an improve- 
ment hereafter ; for we are confident, as the stock 
becomes known, it cannot but be appreciated by 
the farmer, and be sought for with avidity. 
The sale was well got up, and the whole thing, 
so far as we have heard, proved highly satisfactory 
to the gentlemen present. The animals were put 
up at a price named in the catalogue, and if this 
was bid, or anything over, it was knocked down to 
a real purchaser. No bidding-in was allowed. 
This is the true method to pursue, and we are sat- 
isfied that such sales have only to be conducted in 
a strictly honorable way, to ensure their being well 
attended hereafter, and that they will result to the 
mutual satisfaction of both buyer and seller. 
VALUE OF BERKSHIRE SWINE. 
A correspondent from New Jersey thus writes 
us : " Some years since, I had a very fine stock of 
Berkshire hogs, but from neglect and other causes, 
they have entirely disappeared, since which, I have 
not enjoyed the luxury of a good ham on my own 
table ; I am fully satisfied they have been more 
sinned against than sinning, and am desirous of 
procuring a few for breeders, but know not where 
to apply for information except to yourselves." 
The above is just what we told the public over 
and over again, several years ago, would soon be 
the complaint, when the demand for this breed of 
swine began to subside, and they were rejected for 
some new-fangled notion. Taking everything into 
consideration, we think the Berkshire the best 
farmer's hog ever raised in this country. A large 
western pork packer, just returned from a six 
months' tour, in Great Britain and Ireland, informs 
us that he has now got to commence growing a 
herd of Berkshire swine before he can have a pro- 
per mixture of lean and fat in his pork to suit the 
English market. He also wants lean hams, which 
he can find nowhere so perfect as in Berkshire 
Pigs 
SOUTHERN TOUR OF SOLON ROBINSON. 
Mr. R. left New York, the last of October, on 
another tour for the south. He will be in Dela- 
ware and Maryland till the 15th of November, and 
in the mean while, can be written to at Baltimore. 
From the 15th of November till the 1st of Decem- 
ber, he will be in Virginia, and during this time all 
letters should be directed to him at Richmond. 
From the 1st to the 15th of December, he will be 
in North Carolina; while there, please to address 
him at Raleigh. From the 15th of December to 
the 1st of January, he will be in South Carolina; 
and, while in that state, he can be addressed at 
Charleston. Thence he will probably make a rapid 
tour via Savannah, Augusta, and Columbus, in 
Georgia, to Tallahasse, Florida, at which place he 
will probably arrive about the 15th of January. .Jt 
is his intention to spend one month in Florida, and 
while there will receive letters at Tallahasse. From 
thence, about the 15th of February, he will set out 
on his return north. The line of his route home 
will be given our readers in due time hereafter. 
Mr. Robinson's object in travelling is, to procure 
and disseminate agricultural information. For this 
purpose, he will visit the most highly cultivated, 
and improved farms and plantations on his route, and 
give the details of his observations in our columns. 
We are much obliged to our numerous warm- 
hearted southern friends, for the kind and hospita- 
ble reception they gave Mr. Robinson last winter, 
and for their generous appreciation of the objects 
of his visit. We trust that this second tour will be 
no less agreeable to him than was the first, and 
that all who feel interested in his travels, will 
again tender him such assistance as may be required 
to successfully carry out the objects of his visit. 
Mr. Robinson will continue to act as agent for 
the Agriculturist, and will have a supply of a few 
choice agricultural books for sale ; he is also em- 
powered to take orders for the Agricultural Ware- 
house and Seed Store of A. B. Allen & Co., and 
we will be responsible for any money paid over to 
him for account thereof, the same as if paid to our- 
selves. 
Early next spring, Mr. Robinson will commence 
a northern tour, and the remainder of the year 1850 
will be principally passed in Pennsylvania, New 
Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. The particu- 
lars of this route we will endeavor to give as early 
as the March or April number. 
- Cost of The English Herd Book. — In answer 
to several inquiries relative to the cost of the Eng- 
lish Herd Book, we would state that the 1st, 2d, 
and 3d volumes are now reprinted. These form 
two volumes, and cost £2 12s. 6d. 
Vol. 4, costs . . . 110 
" 5, " . , . . 1 11 6 
" 6, " . . . l l n 
" 7, " . . . 110 
" 8, " . . • 110 
£8 8 
At the present rate of exchange, the work, com- 
plete, would come at $42. The duties are 10 per 
cent. ad valorem, and the booksellers' charges about 
10 per cent, more, making the whole cost, delivered 
in New York, about $50. 
