Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1862-09-05

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BY DIR. G. sPRAGUE, BUTLER CO., IOWA.
Although the present depressed condition
of the pork market in tbs Northern United
States, has dampsned the ardor of the psrl
raisers, for the time being, still there is nc
plausible reason for assuming that at tho
close of the ''war of the Rebellion" the pro
ducts of the swine yard will be less in demand
and command lesser prices than during 6
term of years past. Dressed pork, during
last twelve years, has rated at Chicago, al
from $500 to $3.50 per hundred pounds
Always during the above named period
commanding a price that would pay tn,
Western farmer better prices for his grain
than he could realize by marketing the same
in the crude state.
1t is common, and true saying, that the
best time to buy sheep, and commence wool
raising, is when sheep and wool are low
This is true, and if true Of sheep and wool
it is no less applicable to all kinds of farm
stock
Breeds Of slcine.-The breeds of swine are
gradually becoming fewer in number. In
England, crossing is now extensively prac-
ticcd, and swine are, in many localities,
known principally as large, medium, or small
breeds. The large, coarse Leicester and
Yorkshire, have been refined n bone and
texture, by crossing with the medium and
smaller breeds. Their proverbial coarseness
and slowness to take on flesh, has given way
by judicous crossings, 10 a certain degree Of
refined appearance. and some specimens of
these large swine, show wonderful dispos-
ition to take on flesh.
OF the large English breeds, it is not deem
ed necessary to mention more than two, viz:
The improved Yorkshire, and the Leicester.
These are the leading large breeds-the
Cumberland, Irish Grazier, and Woburn,
not occupying leading position at the Eng
lish Fairs
The GoRKsHIRE.-The old fashioned York
shire was very large, coarse hog, generally
white, but sometimes spotted with yellow
and black. A careful course of breeding has
removed the cearseness, and resulted in form
ing hog of good size-one half or more
larger than the Suffolk, with fine, thin hair
of good length, little inclined to curl, head
short, ijowl full and hsavy, ears medium size
and somewhat dropping. Back and loin
very bread and ever, body long, ham full
and thick, legs short and set very wide apart.
Disposition very docle, amounting to the ex-
lay on flesh exceeds that Of any other breed
within our knowledge We have as a guide
to this description, recent English authority,
added to personal knowledge of specimens
of this breed, imported by the Illinois Ina
porting Company, in 1857, from which i'm.
portation we have been breeding during the
last year. 1861 IF
The LETcEsrErs.-The old fashioned Lei
cester vas also a very coarse, fat-sided,
long-legged animal Careful breeding has
very materially improved the Leicester-bu
still he is not SO fine hog as the Yorkshire,
with more length of body, coarser hair, and
perhaps an eighth, or thereabouts, greater in
size. lie is more tardy disposition to lay
on flesh. though when we'll bred he is good
feeding hog. His greater coarseness, doubt
less, adds to his hardness. This should
have due consideration in all northern lati-
tudes, as not more than one litter of pigs of
any delicate breed, can be reared in a year,
without more attention, and better fixtures,
than the majority Of farmers are prepared to
afford
Of the large breeds known in this country,
as having originated here, we may name the
Chester White, and Magic OF the origin of
the former, we have had several authentic"
yet very diversified accounts. We believe
the more intelligent swine breeders of the
country, look upon the origin of this breed
as not very well settled. Their appearance
would indicate that they had originated from
an early importation Of the Leicester-a coars-
er hog than the present improved Leicester.
Space will not admit of setting forth the reas-
ons for this opinion at length, bat all who
are familiar with the Lecesters of eight or
ten years since, and with the Chester Whites,
will, we think, readily perceive the family
resemblance. Very many of the Chester
Whites that have come under our ohserva-
ton, even those that have come from the
leading breeders, have the appearance of be.
ing grade Leicesters, with decided desen-
eracy from the parent stock; as shown by
narrow back and loin, dropping behind
the shoulder, or sway back, all of which
may result from in-and-in breeding.
The Chester Whites, that is the better
specimens of this breed, present a.goed foun-
iation to build upon, in the hands of judi
cious breeders, who will show the enterprise
and couro os 10 look 10 some other stool, f,r