Economy in space, as only two feet and eight inches in width is required for flocks to feed on each side-whether the same or different flocks. Economy in fodder, as none can be wasted or soiled under the feet of the sheep.

3. The preservation of the wool on the necks of the sheep, and keeping the same perfectly free from seed, chaff, or other impurity, which amounts to a large item in the aggregate where large flocks are kept.

4. Greater convenience to sheep in feeding, as the racks are I made of the height for sheep to stand and feed in a natural position. They can easily be raised from the floor, to retain the same relative position, when required by the filling of the pens with manure, &c.

Of the numerous testimonials which have been given by persons who have used this rack, the following, from Dr. George B. Loring, a distinguished farmer, of Salem, Mass., is herewith presented:

"I have used Hale's improvement on Eaton's 'sheep-rack myself, and have also introduced it upon the Experimental Farm of the Essex county (Mass.) Agricultural Society. One of my friends, a large sheep owner in Vermont, has used it, at my solicitation. In all these instances it has proved to be entirely satisfactory. In feeding hay or straw I cannot find that a particle is wasted, and it is easy of access to the sheep. For feeding grain and roots it cannot be surpassed. Nowhere, in visiting the flocks of New England, have I seen anything equal to it; and I only wonder, when I see the great number of inconvenient and wasteful racks in use, that it is not universally adopted. For myself I would almost as soon abandon my sheep as dispense with the rack."

For further information in regard to the rack, or in reference to rights to use it, address the proprietor of the patent, Robert Hale, Esq., Chicago, Ill.

It is upwards of twenty years since a fork for unloading hay by horse-power was used in this country. The implement has, however, undergone various modifications, and in some of the forms in which it is now made, is superior to the kind first invented. Palmer's, herewith represented, has been extensively used, and receives general commendation. At

the farm attached to the Michigan State Agricultural College, one was used last year, with results en

tirely satisfactory. A general idea in regard to the manner in which these forks are made, and the way in which they are used, may be obtained from the cuts and the accompanying description. One of the figures represents the mode of using the fork in stacking hay, and the others show the form of the

fork, and its position when loaded and when discharged. The manufacturers, in their descriptive advertisements, say:

"With the pulleys furnished with the fork, it can be rigged to deposit the hay in any part of the mow by simply pulling a small cord. It is equally adapted for stacking. The handle being short, is out of the way in going over or under the beams, through windows, &c. The bale and brace being made of wrought iron, and the tines of steel, and sickle-shaped, it is very strong and durable, and will hold as much as a horse can draw. The bale folding to the handle when the hay is discharged, it occupies less room to work it than any other. The head of this fork is protected by our patent self-tightening bands, through which the tines pass, making it impossible to break. Although very strong, it is small and compact, and can be used by a boy. It will take off a load of hay, ordinarily, in three to six minutes."

E. B. Powell, of Detroit, is the agent for the sale of this fork, and rights to use it, for the State of Michigan.

SWINE---CHARACTERISTICS OF BREEDS, &c.

BY SANFORD HOWARD.

Geological researches have proved that the Hog is one of the most ancient of mammiferous animals. His fossilized bones have been found in various places, associated with those of the Mastodon, Dinotherium, and other animals long since extinct. An able zoologist (Martin) observes: "Of the identity of these bones with those of the ordinary wild hog, all doubt has been removed by the most rigorous comparisons.' The same writer remarks: "It were useless to ask how it is that, while the Mammoth and the Mastodon, the Urus, the huge Red Deer, Hyenas, enormous Bears, and powerful feline animals, have perished in times geologically recent, the wild hog continued its race. We cannot solve the mystery. It has escaped the fate of these animals, its contemporaries, whatever might have been the cause of their own annihilation, and though no longer a tenant of our island [Britain] it is spread throughout a great portion of Europe and Asia."

The hog is not a native of America. The South American peccary, though of the same order, belongs to a different genus. But in the uncultivated parts of Europe, Asia and Africa, the wild hog has existed from time immemorial, and no less than eight species are enumerated by naturalists as inhabiting those countries at the present day.

The domestic hog was evidently derived from the wild, though it can hardly be supposed that any one species of the latter has been the parent of all the domestic breeds. On the contrary, the great diversity of characters which the domesticated animal presents in different countries, is probably owing in a great degree to its affinity with various original stocks. Experiments, particularly those made under the direction of