per pound more than other varieties of hogs, on account of their fine quality of meat and little loss in offal.

Many experiments have already been made by farmers in this State, with regard to hog-breeding; more than twenty different kinds exist here, and yet experience has led most farmers to the conviction, that the "Suffolk breed" is the best and most profitable of all varieties that are known throughout the State. The Suffolk may be continued either pure or crossed with the Mackay or different other varieties; by this means an increase in the size of the breed will be created.

The Suffolk pig was brought to this country by a gentleman of Boston, who, amongst other importations, obtained this breed from Suffolk County, England, whence the London markets have received most of their supplies of pork during the last eight or ten years.

The inclination to fatness in hogs may be distinguished by the following points: head small; short snout; a dished face; neck thick and short; the ear thin and small; the breast broad; the ribs round; the back straight; the loin broad; the rump long, from the hips backward; legs pretty small, and straight; the skin soft and smooth, with fine, thin bristles.

The principal varieties of "swine," besides those already mentioned, are the Mackay breed; the Neapolitan; the Essex; and the Middlesex breed.

It would make this treatise too lengthy, should a full description, with all the particulars of these varieties be given; it may therefore suffice to say, that no practical farmer will fall short of his expectations, if he breeds the "Suffolk ;" and if he should wish to have larger hogs than are usually found in this race, he may try to make a breed, by using a full blood Suffolk or Middlesex, and an Essex boar. The breed thus raised will probably grow to a pretty large size, and weigh from 600 to 800 pounds, at the age of 15 or 18 months.

The average price for pork during the last four or five years, was from 3 to 4 cents a pound, while formerly it was still cheaper. At the beginning of last winter, (1855–6) an advance in pork took place, and from 7 to 73 cents per pound were paid; but these high rates gradually declined, so that soon after New Year's day the market prices were as follows:

Y

The Charleston (Ill.,) Courier, says that, for the year 1855, the hogs sent from Coles County, will not return less than $500,000.

The traffic in pork, is, in the Western States, one of the most extensive branches of business. The principal markets, Cincinnati, (Ohio,) and Chicago, (Ill.,) make very considerable exports in this article. They have, in both places, large packing establishments for pork, and smoke-houses for smoking hams, shoulders, and bacon. Even our Eastern markets are indebted to the West, for a large portion of their supplies in the above produce.

The following table shows that in most towns of Illinois the pork traffic has diminished, while in Peoria it has considerably increased:

Stock of Cattle in Illinois.-According to the official reports of the State Auditor, the present stock of the entire State, with the exception of the counties of Alexander, Bond, Carroll, Fulton, Moultrie, Pope, and St. Clair, exhibits the following result:

The total value as obtained from the estimates, amounts, for

MARKET-PRICES,

In several places of Illinois, during the first half of January, 1856.*

Indian Corn, per bushel: In Alton, shell, 35 cents; in ears, 30 cents. Aurora, shell, 34–35; in ears, 35 per 75 lbs. Batavia, shell, 42-44; in ears, 35 per 75 lbs. Beardstown, shell, 33–35; in ears, 30. Belvidere, shell, 40; in ears, 35 per 70 lbs. Cairo, 25-30. Canton, 30-35. Central City, 25-30. Chicago, 55–60. Clinton, shell, 22-28; in ears, 18-25. Dixon, shell, 40; in ears, 30. Decatur, shell, 25. Freeport, 33-36. Galena, in ears, 30-35. Galesburg, shell, 30 per 60 lbs. Geneseo, shell, 30; in ears, 28. Jerseyville, in ears, 25. Joliet, shell, 40-54; in ears, 35-50. Kankakee, shell, 35; in ears; 25. Knoxville, 30. La Salle, shell, 40; in ears, 30. Marshall, 20-25. Mendota, 37. Moline, shell, 40. Monmouth, 25. Morris. 35. Oquawka, shell, 30; in ears, 28. Ottawa, shell, 38 per 60 lbs; in ears, 38 per 80 lbs. Paris, shell, 25; in ears, 20-25. Peoria, shell, 40; in ears, 35. Pontiac, 30 -33 per 60 lbs. Quincy, 33. Rockford, shell, 45 per 60 lbs; 60 lbs; in ears, 35 per 70 lbs. Rock Island, shell, 40; in ears, 25–35. Shawneetown, shell, 35-40; in ears, 33-35. Shelbyville, 20. Springfield, shell, 30; in ears, 25. Sterling, shell, 40 per 60 lbs; in ears, 30 per 60 lbs. Walnut Grove, shell, 35; in ears, 25-30. Waukegan, shell, 50 per 74 lbs; in ears, 37 per 74 lbs.

Wheat, per bushel: In Alton, 120 cents. Aurora, winter, 150-160; spring, 125-130. Batavia, winter, 150-160; spring, 135-140. Beardstown, 100-150. Belvidere, winter, 125; spring, 112. Cairo, 135-155. Canton, 110-140. Central City, 120-140. Chicago, winter, 150-170; spring, 125-150. Clinton, winter, 110-125; spring, 100-110. Dixon, winter, 145–150; spring, 120. Decatur, winter, 130-140; spring, 115. Freeport, winter, 135-140; spring, 115-125. Galena, winter, 110-135; spring, 100-115. Galesburg, 100. Geneseo, winter, 125-130; spring, 110-112. Jacksonville, winter, 120-125; spring, 90-100. Jerseyville, 120-125. Joliet, winter, 145-155; spring, 135 -145. Kankakee, winter, 135–140; spring, 112. Knoxville, winter, 115-125; spring, 107. La Salle, winter, 135-140; spring, 120-125. Marshal, 125. Mendota, winter, 125; spring, 120. Moline, spring, 125. Monmouth, win

* According to the newspapers of said places.

ter, 120-125; spring, 110-115. Morris, winter, 130-135; spring, 110-120. Oquawka, winter, 120-135; spring, 115–120. Ottawa, winter, 140; spring, 125-130. Paris, 120-125. Peoria, winter, 125-135; spring, 110-115. Pontiac, winter, 125; spring, 100. Quincy, 100-150. Rockford, winter, 130135; spring, 120-125. Rock Island, winter, 100-125; spring, 100-110. Shawneetown, 110-120. Shelbyville, 110. Springfield, winter, 116-130. Sterling, winter, 125; spring, 115-118. Walnut Grove, winter, 110-125; spring, 105-115. Waukegan, winter, 150; spring, 140-150.

Rye, per bushel: In Aurora, 85 cents. Batavia, 85-90. Belvidere, 85. Central City, 50-65. Chicago, 95-100. Freeport, 90-100. Galena, 60-65. Geneseo, 75-80. Jacksonville, 50. Kankakee, 70. Oquawka, 60. Paris, 50. Peoria, 80. Quincy, 75. Shelbyville, 50. Springfield, 65. Walnut Grove, 75. Waukegan, 85-90.

Freeport,

Decatur, 25.
Geneseo, 25-27. Jackson-
Kankakee, 22. Knoxville,

Oats, per bushel: In Alton, 27-30 cents. Aurora, 23-24. Batavia, 24-25. Beardstown, 25. Belvidere, 22. Cairo, 30-35. Canton, 25. Central City, 20-25. Chicago, 29-30. Clinton, 30. Dixon, 30. 28-30. Galena, 30. Galesburg, 28 per 35 lbs. ville, 15-20. Jerseyville, 20-21. Joliet, 25-26. 30. La Salle, 27. Marshall, 20. Mendota, 22. Moline, 30-35. Monmouth, 25. Morris. 22. Oquawka, 22. Ottawa, 27-35. Paris, 18. Peoria, 25. Pontiac, 25. Quincy, 22-23. Rockford, 30 Rockford, 30 per 32 lbs. Rock Island, 25-30. Shawneetown, 25. Shelbyville, 25. Springfield, 22-25. Sterling, 28 per 32 lbs. Walnut Grove, 20. Waukegan, 25–28.

Barley, per bushel: In Aurora, 95-100 cents. Batavia, 95-100. Belvidere, 100. Canton, 110-125. Chicago, 100-115. Dixon, 80-100. Freeport, 100 -110. Galena, 75-100. Geneseo, 95-100. Jacksonville, 125. Kankakee, 100. La Salle, 100-1123. Mendota, 100 Paris, 100. Peoria, 60-62. Quincy, 150. Rock Island, 100. Springfield, 115-125. Sterling, 95. Walnut Grove, 100. Waukegan, 100.

Buckwheat, per bushel: In Aurora, 55 cents. Batavia, 62. Springfield, 100. Wheat Flour, per barrel: In Alton, 850-950 cents. Aurora, 700-900. Batavia, 900. Beardstown, 850-900. Cairo, 750-850. Central City, 700-800. Chicago, 525-950. Clinton, 900. Dixon, 800. Decatur, 700-800. Galena, 650-850. Galesburg, 700-800. Geneseo, 875. Jacksonville, 650-850. Jerseyville, 800-900. Joliet, 950. Kankakee, 800-900. Knoxville, 800-900. La Salle, 850-900. Marshall, 825. Mendota, 900. Moline, 800-850. Monmouth, 900. Morris, 500-900. Oquawka, 850. Ottawa, 875. Paris, 700800. Peoria, 800-900. Pontiac, 900-1000. Quincy, 750-900. Rockford, 650-700. Rock Island, 800. Shawneetown, 750-850.

Shawneetown, 750-850. Shelbyville, 800.

Springfield, 850-925. Sterling, 750-825. Waukegan, 800-900.

Corn Meal, per bushel: In Beardstown, 60 cents. Cairo, 75-80. Chicago,

150-175 per 100 lbs. Decatur, 40. Jacksonville, 50. Jerseyville, 50. Kan