The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1861-06-25 00:00:00

Itortrulture.
-.
PIGS.

For some considerable tune, and during the last few
years especially, it has manifestly been the aim of
British agriculture to establish a better and higher style
of cultivation. The most casual observer will not fail
to have noticed this. Nearly every operation upon the
farm confirms or el ucidatea the fact. Whether we examine
the impleinenta and machinery employed in modern
husbandry, or study their respective niodes of manage-
ment ; or, whether we inspect the animals kept upon
the farm, or estimate the quantity and quality of food
they consume ; or whether we view the crepe produced,
or calculate the cost of such production—carefully analy-
sing those fertilising elements which stimulate such
active growth—we have ample illustrations and ounvinc-
ing proofs of the correctness of oar remarks. Two great
principles seem to influence the minds and govern the
practices of modern agriculturists of intelligence and
skill. Thu one is to iverk continually the increase of
production, and the order is to accomplish this eco-
nomically. Nothing i, easier than to secure the former
but without the latter i is valueless. Indeed, we often
hear startling reports, ii,t read marvellous statements,
of what modern skill has achieved in increasing the
powers of produetion, b it we are not so frequently told
what has been the co An increase of production
without a curresponditr.; increase of profit can be of
no practical benefit to he producer. If the cost of
such increase exceed in production its intrinsic
value when produced, ii ma be of no avail. But
Users are men—and not a few—who, actuated by these
two principles combined, have been eminently success-
ful in realising, with a I,,ge iwnease of produce, a eel-
reaponding Mei-case of 1.. ~fit. And theme are the men
whom we should recoil.; as as the rightful and legiti-
mate pioneers of British ~;:rieulture. Ils true all men
have not reached the ,sine end by the same way.
Local circumstances and peculiarities must necessarily
exert considerable influence upon the modes to be
adopted for the acconipliiituent of the seine object.
There are two thing', however, which are involved in
all successful farming—via., the right management of
dock, and the right manufacture and application of
manure, and we cannot admit that any general law
can be laid down as to what description or class of
auimal is best adapted for either breeding or fattening,
or CAM be most advantageously employed as "agents
for rotting straw." The quality of the food produced,
and it.. suitableness for the one or the other class of
animals, must all be considered, and must ever in-
fluence and regulate the conduct and action of inch-
*ideal farmers in their respective loealties. This
subject has been somewhat largely dwelt upon lately
by Mr. Ruston in a paper mad before the Central
Farmers' Club in London. But it is not our intention
to continue the discussion, although an interesting one.
Our object is not just now to settle whether bullocks or
sheep can be the more profitably employed for treading
straw into manure under certain specified circum-
stances, but is rather to invite attention to another
chat of animals, and to learn how they can be most
economically bred, cheaply grown, and profitably
fattened.
Pigs, whether as meat producers or manure makere.
occupy no unimportant place in the consideration of
our national agriculture. But we must defer until a
future opportunity our observations upon the growing
and fattening of these animals, confining our remarks
at present to the subject of breeding.
We very much question if there is any animal kept
upon the farm which varies so much in the amount of
profit or lose returns as the pig; and the great die-
crepancy iii the returns is mainly occasioned by the
symptoms of feeding and general management adopted.
To sonic extent, undoubtedly, the question of profit
and loss' is determined by the breed of the animal, but
much more, we conceive by the economy or costliness
of management; we shall illustrate our meaning more
fully by-and-by.
To bred pigs profitably, it is very desirable to have a
good class of animal, possessing an aptitude to fatten.
Pigs generally are divided into two chimes, large and
swall—tbe former being produced principally in
!eighties where bacon is "eared," and where -heavy
weight is regarded favourably; and the latter in neigh-
bonrhoods where jpork is " pickled," and where swan
weights are consequently most desired.

BRITISH WOOL—OR Wednesday, lit. Caird, /LP.,
read at a meeting of the Council of the Royal Agricul-
tural Society of i'mgland a very interesting paper upon
British wool. He remarked that, although them had
been an immense increase in the importation from
foreign countries and the colonies during the last 20
years, the rearing of sheep for the production of
British wool continued to be one of the most profitable
branches of our industry. Within the period referred
to there had been, no doabt. in the imports from
Spain and °ennui, a diminution of about 4,000,0001 b.,
but at the same time, to compensate for this, there
had been an increase from Russia, the Low Countries.
Denmark, and Portugal. of no less than 20,00(),000Ib,
There bad been an Increase within this period, in
round numbers, 11.001 Australia of from 13,000,C001b. to
. . .

514000,0001 b., from South Africa of from 1,000,0(00th. to
14,090,000 lb" from the East Indies of from 4A00,0001b.
to 14,000,0001 b. At home the increase in tha amount
of wool produced was equally reiusskatile. In 1842
the home-grown wool did not exceed 100.000,0001 b. It
now amounted to 120,000,0001 b. There had been, in
short, an augmented supply of wool to the extent of
nearly 75 per coot. lk lied not been followed by any
diminution of price to the home producer. Now, the
countries in which the production of wool is hkely to
increase most rapirlly—eix., Australia, the Bast India',
Month Africa, and South America, are all unsuitable to
the production of the lustrous long wools, for which
there is a great demand. The British islands supply
' this wool in the greatest quantity. They may be
almost said to have a monopoly of it, and there are no
countries which can enter into competition with them.
Caird is therefore of opinion that the British wool-
grower should develope its production as much as
possible, and he thinks the supply may be increased
by good farming and liberal feeding. The best, eroes
that could at present be adopted on suitable soils
would, he adds, be obtained by using the improved
Lincoln or Leicester ram, in which the desirable quell.
tics of length, lustre,
•strength, and fineness of wool
weaned to be best coinbiJUNl.

300,000 prise writing cases have already been
sold; the price, 2e. (or free by post for 28
stamps), places this article within the reseh of
all classes. This case, which tones an appropriate pre-
sent, is fitted with writing paper, envelopes, metal pen
case, with reserve of pens, blotting book, &a., kn. and
can only be hail of the makers, PA MCI N 8 and CMYI7O,
Oxfonl-street, Loudon, to whom the 'dociety of
Arts awarded the Prise of 20 Guineas and their Silver
Medal for its cheapness, durability, and neatness.

Cssuun Bunions—A most deplorable scene took
place on Monday week in front of the parade at
Eastbourne. A nunemaid had been sent oat by Yrs.
Cook, of Cavendish-place. in charge of her little twins,
• boy and a girl, aged about a year and a half. Osie of
these was carried in arms, and the other wheeled in •
perambulator. Express instructions were given that
the children's walk should be confined to • shady
neighbouring lane, which order the girl directly
disobeyed by proceeding to sec-wall parade. It wu
high water, and a strong east wind was bringing in •
heavy swell. At the narrowest part of the walk the
girl let go her hold of the perambulator, in which waa
the little hey, and, probably impelled by the wind, it ran
headlong over the edge el the wall, and was swept out
by a retiring wave. All within hearing iminedaly
gathered at the spot, sad luny efforts to catch the
carriage with the poor child, as it was towed to and
fro, were earnestly mule. Especially • soldier, named
Cannon, of the 51st Regiusent, manfully plunged into
the waves, and nearly succeeded in grasping the infant,
who was now detached from the perambulator. The
brave fellow was, however, too exhausted to sessomplish
his humane purpose. end ultimately struggled alone to
the shore. The child was at last caught by the vigorous
exertion of Mr. Brown a neighbour, and • good
swimmer. No injury al4isiaved to have been caused
by the mere fall, and the poor little thing was heard
to scream whs.'s in the water, but all the continued
efforts that were made by ;medical skill to revive it
were unavailing. It was drowned. The distraetio• of
of the poor mother, who robed to the nen* was
heartrending ; and, indeed, then were few who did siot
share her estrous* distress, for the sight of the poor
infant and its tiny carriage tossed to and Era by the
powerful waves, alternately appearing and diseppuriog
WIN most harrowing. assat sympathy is hitter tin
family.