The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-06-10
CECIL FARMERS CLUB.

an essay, by the host, being first IN
order, was read. Subject-'l'aiSing
Hogs He maintained that pork
should be dependence in farmers
family rather than beef, and Tor Gull
nary purposes lard should be used
rather than butter The greatest profit
from hogs could be realized by keeping
well-selected SONS and dispoSing Of the
pigs either for stock hogs or Us small pork
for market He estimated that the aver
age product per SOW would be eight
pigs, which, at two months old, would
be worth five dollars each, making $40
per SOW: and that her extra feed and
ultimate dimunition OF. weight would
reduce her carcass, when slaughtered,
about eleven dollars below the average
profit on barrow of the same age.
He recommended that as summer came
on hogs should be ringed and turned to
the fields or woods: that the earth was
the natural bed for hog. He thought
black hogs preferable to white for sew
eral reasons, one, that they were less
liable to cutaneous disease.
In the course Of il free discussion on
the merits Of the essay, it was main
tanned by the members generally that
the author was wrong in preterring the
black color in hogs The preference of
nearly all was for the Chester county
white. IT was alleged that under the
same treatment they would outgrow the
Berkshires, &c: that they would yield,
at given weight, much more lard.
When, however. the case came 10 be
understood, it appeared that the com
palison had been not with genuine
Berkshires, but with hogs more or less
tinctured with Essex blood. Some of
the members could state that in their eX
perience the Berkshire would equal the
white hogs in growth while kept in
the same pen, or even exceed them,
growing easily at the age of eighteen
months to 400 pounds weight.
In regard to the accommodation for
keeping swine there was much said,
amounting to the conclusion that where
only one, or very limited number, are
kept it may do well to contine them To
a ell-boarded, decent y-kept pen. But
where the herd is large, more room and
more fresh air are essential, especially
in hot weather. When circumstances
do not permit them to roam the fields
or woods at large, they should at least
enjoy capacious enclosure, where, if
practicable, they may have the benefit
of shade and natural flow Of water.
The meeting adjourned to view the
premises. One Of the first object, to
which the attention of the company was
directed was Il series of pig pens with
their occupants. Here was the living
illustration of the essay, Il key TO the
animus under which it WAS written.
Besides some beautiful shoatS and grown
up swine in good condition, Illustrating
in the freedom Of grass and shade, there
were six sows with young pigs. They
occupied Il row Of pens, each of which
was supplied with every comfort that 4
mother hog with her brood can appre-
ciate. The owner had SO managed that
each brood was abont The same age and
had there been one pig more, would
have exactly carried out the proper
number-eight to brood all through.
The system which had been adhered
to in the care Of the pigs, was obServa-
bic in every department Of this farming
establishment. Where invention could
abridge labor, without mourning i'm
proper expense, it had been resorted to.
Among the sim pie but effective imple
ments in use, was one for holding rails
for pointing: another was combination
of sled and pillow for marking corn
field for planting. The common ma
chinery for cutting grass, threshing, &c,
in customary use, need not be specially
mentioned.
Proceeding to the field, the first object
to arrest attention was the wheat. 1t
was luNuriant without being rank, and
not yet so much headed out as the Fultz
variety now common in this part Of the
country. We learned on inquiry that
it was the Clawson wheat, simultane-
ously introduced by HI. H. Duyckinck
and some others Of his acquaintance two
years ago. 1t was the testimony Of the
several members of the company, who
had tried it, that it had done well,
Welding from 80 to 10 bushels under
good treatment, and doing its best under
unfavorable circumstances. 1t is said
to be white wheat, and in hardihood
and productiveness rival to the Fultz.
But further trial will be needed before
we can pronounce which is best for our
soil and climate.
The vineyard, for several years quite
productive, was still fourishing, though
somewhat neglected. 1t had become
evident thai the market for grapes was