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that account. The very smallest, partaking most of the Siamese character, lacked constitution, and were not prolific; but their flesh was fine-grained and good. The medium-sized ones, weighing about 300 pounds, dressed, at twelve to eighteen months old, were in every respect useful hogs, except for the production of clear pork.

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The illustrations herewith presented of the Berkshire breed -figure 3,-were taken a few years since, from excellent speci

mens bred and owned by Col. L. G. Morris, of Fordham, Westchester county, New York. Col. M. still keeps this breed.

There is an offshoot of the Berkshire breed in England, known as the Tamworth variety, which is held in considerable estimation-frequently taking prizes among the medium-sized swine exhibited at shows. They are of a reddish-brown color, with darker spots. They are small-boned and well shaped.

THE HAMPSHIRE BREED-Hampshire bacon has long been regarded in England as of superior quality, and this is thought to be in a great degree due to the breed of swine from which it is produced. Richardson says: "This breed is not unfrequently confounded with the Berkshire; but its body is longer and the sides flatter; the head is long and the snout sharp. The color of this breed is usually dark spotted, but is sometimes black altogether, and sometimes white." Martin says: "He who travels through Hampshire, and looks into the farm yards, will see some excellent hogs, generally black and middle-sized, with rather a long snout, but compactly made; they are a modification of the old large-sized Hampshire stock, individuals of which in former days were of huge magnitude - and some were carried about for show. This collossal breed is now seldom to seen, but it had its good points; when fattened (and time and much food were required to effect this), it returned, by way of repayment, a weighty carcass. As in all cases, however, the question comes in: Was it profitable-was the repayment for food and time in a just ratio? The answer must be, quick fattening, even with a smaller carcass, a gain of time and provision being included, is one of the points in which the farmer finds himself best remunerated. Slow feeders, however weighty their carcass at best, will not be found profitable when all expenses are calculated. The present Hampshire hog is compounded of the old race and the Essex, the Chinese, and the Neapolitan, with an admixture also of the improved Berkshire."

In concluding this paper, it may be well to remark, that in the selection of swine, as well as cattle and other animals, regard should be had to the conditions or circumstances in which

they are to be placed. All the improved breeds, so called, though possessing various merits in reference to certain purposes, are less fitted to make a living for themselves than animals less advanced from the original type. The quiet disposition and tendency to fatten, for which some breeds are justly valued, must give place in the "woods hog," or one destined to live by its own unassisted energies, to a habit of activity and a tendency to muscular fibre. Instead of the thin skin and scanty bristles of the refined varieties, the hog which is left to provide for himself, must be clad in a manner to protect him from the weather and shield him against the attacks of his enemies. Even in common farm management, the thinness of skin and absence of bristles may be carried too far. These traits, though indicative of aptitude to fatten, impair the constitution, when they exist in an extreme degree, and render the animal unfitted for ordinary exposure.

AMERICAN MERINO SHEEP.

The Merino breed of sheep, which is now held in high esti-mation by American farmers, and has for some years been one of their most important sources of income, was unknown in this. country previous to the commencement of this century. From 1801 to 1811, various importations were made, which formed the principal foundations of our Merino flocks. The earliest importations were from France, and from stock which, towardsthe close of the last century, had been obtained by the King of France from the King of Spain. The later and larger importations were made chiefly from Spain, after several of the great flocks of that country had been broken up by changes resulting from the invasion by the armies of the first Napoleon.

The characteristic, of these sheep have been somewhat changed in this country. In some important particulars they have been improved-that is, they are better adapted to our climate, to our management, and to the purposes for which the fleece is applied, than when they were introduced. We have various stocks, which, compared with the original Spanish, are more symmetrical in form, more hardy, have much more wool. in proportion to the weight of carcass, on which account, and from the more even character of the fleece-the proportion of inferior wool being considerably lessened-its aggregate value · is much increased, and the sheep are in all respects more profitable.

Some of the most striking of the improvements alluded to seem to have been acquired in Vermont, the basis of them being chiefly stocks imported by Hon. Wm. Jarvis, of that State, and Gen. David Humphreys, of Connecticut. The character of the climate, and the nature of the soil and herbage, doubtless. exercised favorable influences in regard to the changes which.

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