66 
SKETCHES OF THE WEST.—NO. I. 
the operations have been carried on in a very lim¬ 
ited way. The citizens of our own state are doing 
very little as yet in this cause, notwithstanding the 
legislature has offered a satisfactory bounty on the 
production of the raw article, and have further 
set a laudable example by paying a fair price for 
cocoons, and commenced the manufacture of it in 
the state-prisons. It was computed that the 
amount of cocoons raised in Connecticut last year, 
exceeded 117,000 lbs., while that of our own state 
fell short of 4,300 lbs., and that too with a popula¬ 
tion eight times as large, and even a greater pro¬ 
portion of territory, and this far exceeding the for¬ 
mer in fertility! We believe we are rapidly les¬ 
sening this disparity, yet not so fast as circumstances 
would justify. We again, therefore, earnestly com¬ 
mend this subject to the attention, not only of the 
citizens of our own state, but those of every state 
in the union, satisfied as we are, that no branch of 
rural affairs will pay better to the country and the 
producers. 
SKETCHES OF THE WEST.—No. L 
Cincinnati. —This is the largest and much the 
handsomest city of the west, and we think it is 
ever destined to maintain this rank. Its position 
seems to have been expressly made by nature for 
the site of some great town. It is a plain, nearly 
in the shape of a bended bow, a mile and a half 
broad in its widest part, and elevated about 100 
feet from the water, terminated by broken ranges 
of picturesque hills from 300 to 400 feet high, the 
sides and tops of which, the town is already be¬ 
ginning to cover in broad terraces of brick and 
stone. On the top of one of these hills Mr. Long- 
worth has had the liberality to make a large res¬ 
ervation for a public square, and if others can oc¬ 
casionally be appropriated and ornamented with 
trees, walks, and shrubbery, and proper attention 
be paid to the public and private buildings, it may 
in time become quite a magnificent city. It is sur¬ 
rounded by an exceedingly fertile country, and it has 
a very extensive trade, the most interesting branch 
of which to the farmer is the dealings in pork. 
Pork Business.— In the January number of the 
Agriculturist, we gave some account of this, and 
the slaughter and packing houses; but the business 
done the present year is much greater than ever 
known before. It is estimated that upward of 
250,000 hogs have been killed at Cincinnati the 
past season, with a greater average weight than 
any preceding year. Many of these were packed 
by English agents, sent out here expressly for this 
purpose, after their own method, for the market of 
Great Britain, the sale of which thus far has been 
quite satisfactory, and will prove encouraging for 
the pork-raisers of the west. In addition to the 
pork, great quantities of lard are put up here, 
12,000,000 pounds at least the past year, worth 
nearly $500,000. 
Stock.— Of swine, as a matter of course, in the 
neighborhood of Cincinnati, where so many hogs 
are raised, one would expect to find choice breeds; 
nor would he be disappointed, for in no district of 
country have we ever seen as good animals gener¬ 
ally prevail. Sheep are kept in considerable num¬ 
bers, but very few choice fine-wooiled flocks; which 
we think a matter of regret, as the soil and climate 
are both admirable for the purposes of sheep-hus¬ 
bandry. Of cattle, there are many varieties, 
the best of which, undoubtedly, are the Dur- 
harns. Among these, the choicest herd within oar 
observation was that of Mr. William Neff, kept on 
his farm situated on a fine Macadam road, about 
seven miles from town, and it was a great pleasure 
for us, while staying at Cincinnati, to often visit 
these superb animals. 
The herd is composed of a reserved lot, all im¬ 
ported, or bred directly by Mr. Neff from his own 
importations. The stock bulls are quite superior, 
and among them we thought most highly of Prince 
William and Young Prince. The cows also we 
found a choice lot, and no way inferior to the bulls. 
Those we most admired among the older ones, 
were Ruth, Profitable, and Princess, the first of 
which is a noted breeder. Of the younger ones, 
Victoria, Clifford, Georgia, and Louisiana, stood 
the highest in our estimation. The latter is a 
magnificent animal, and such as is rarely found. 
Everything for their accommodation is well ar¬ 
ranged, and the stables, yards, and indeed all the 
appurtenances, could scarcely be bettered. Mr. 
Neffs swine are quite on a par with his cattle; he 
having the Berkshire recently imported in great 
perfection, and the English grazier, also imported, 
a nice, quiet, thrifty breed, and famous for making 
lard—a great desideratum now in the west. His 
piggery is extensive, and one of the best arranged 
we ever saw. The general plan is an alley in the 
centre, with ranges on each side for the animals; a 
cooking-house in front, where kettles are set, and 
bins formed conveniently around for the storage of 
meal, grain, and roots. Other things about this 
farm are worthy of notice, among which we shall 
not soon forget an abundant orchard and fine vine¬ 
yard recently planted out. 
Nurseries and Gardens.— These abound in the 
1 vicinity of Cincinnati. That of Mr. Ernest we found 
