Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-02-09
Agricultural.
Correspondence Of the Freeman.
Pork Packing at the West.
SAuK Cry, Wis Jan. %, ls(

cAuk OlIf, W ls Jan, 90 loOfs
1t has been generally understood at the East,
believe, that Cincinnati was entitled TO be
called, par excellence, the great Perkopolis Of
che country or in other words, that more hogs
have been annually slaughtered and packed
there, than in any other place in the whole
United States. Bat it remains for all those
resting under such an impression, to be in
formed, that there ia one place that has not
only, years since, riyalled. but has now far out
distancsd Cincinnati in the race Tor the pore inc
pie-ominence. That place is the city of Chicago.
The average numder Of hogs slaughtered in
Cincinnati has been, of late years, less than 400,
900 u year while the number so disposed of
in Chicago has now reached, it Is claimed, half
a million or more, per anuum, which makes the
latter what iis statistcisns 80 confidently assert
it TO be, the greatest pork market in the world.
While taiTyiug week or so in Chicago, IN
the early part Of the past December, had the
pleasure, il witnessing of such wholesale hogi-
eide could be called pleasure. Of whiting one
of the half dozen pork-pacsing establishments
shat are now in iull blast in that wondcrous
mart OF meats and grain, and, without falther
preliminsries, will take the reader at once to
she establishment in question. As we approach
the great, broad bottomed building used at this
slaughter and packing house, we notice side
or branch track Of the nearest great Railroad,
running up to large gate, which opens into
spacious and strongly fenced yard, and into which
n freshly arrived, hog freighted car j, dscharg-
ing down a temporary, fenced platform thrown
up to it, door for the purpose of allowing it's
living load to join the Two or three thousand OF
snarling, growing gruntero already got togoth-
er in the same manner within. But Of these
we will only take present cogn.sancs of one
thousand, as that is the precise number decided
on for furnishing due material for the work of
the day. We now look over into the large pen ,
and there sec several men with their long end
gels separating portion Of a few scores Of this
swinish mt ltitude from the re,t, and driving
them along up q narrow, enclosed avenue Tis-
ing to he level OF the second floor, aud to a
door opening into side raised divisi II OF
the immense room devoted TO the great business
closely here and confined by gate made u shut
behind them, the door Of the slaughter room 1t
thrown open. and Ave or SIX brawny men rush
out, and, each sei1ing hog, drag them in and
along to a cross slit in the floor, opening down
to ditch or sewer dozen feet below. Hero
stand new sc. Of men with light sledgss IN
one hand and butcher knives in the other.
With quick, smart blow, Of the slodges on the
head the hogs are laid liieless or stiff OF the
door, then hastily drawn forward til their neeks
are brought over the slit, where instantly the
flashing knives are seen entering their jugulars,
and the gushing blood is heard falling in tor.
rents below. After minute or two has elapsed
70 permit the blood to 10 discharged the earoa'
81" are again drawn forward and pitohodinto an
obong, vat.shaped caldron Of hot water to seald
After being tumbled about here minute OF
two with stiff poles, each hog is pushed sepa-
tabcig ioIWulu W tut ONutf Gnu OF knt ChluIun
over the sunken, strong iron teeth OF o contri-
vance resembling hores rake, the upper ende
being inserted in windlass, which then, by a
half revolution lifts and throws tbs carcass over
on to another short, raised platform, whore i,
is taken in hand by as many men as can work
upon it, who IN a jiay will have scraped Of the
brs,les, strung 1t up by the CANDLES to a move
able crane, washed il down, and swung /, round
TO the next operator. The latter might be
called the great slasher and disemboweler for
here, unrelesed, he keeps bis post from morn
ing to night, and as now, with well sharpeued
ksie, lays tho hog open with one long slashing
blow from stem to stem, and then, with almost
equal celebrity rip, out the enlralls and hurls
them forward TO others who riddle of the TAT
and throw It into another huge oaldron at hand
kept all day ,sething to try GU, the refuse lard
The hog having now gone through The last pro-
cess Of slsughts,ing ard dressing, is swung