It is obvious that, at the present rate of markets, 40 swine, weighing 7 or 8 stone each, are worth more money than here stated ; but, even upon the supposition that markets may fall considerably, the net profit will still be as much as is described. We apprehend that people would be readier to admit the truth of this part of the statement, than that such a number can be sup ported at so little expense ; but this point can only be ,Aisfactorily elucidated by an appeal to experience.
We have, for a number of years, kept a stock of swine in the way now recommended. They go at large in the court or yard belonging to the farm, and receive a feeding of offal grain in the morning, and of yams or wimps in the evening ; and the meat fed in this way has constantly drawn the highest pi ice. They get also the dish-washings of the house, any milk or whey that remains unconsumed, and have the dunghill to roam upon, where perhaps more food is to be gathered, es pecially if the horses arc fed upon unbroken grain, than commonly imagined.
It wilt readily be conceived, that under this mode of management, the latter end of summer and the harvest, months IS the critical period for carrying on a stock of swine. During these months little thrashing goes for ward, and horses seldom receive any corn for aliment; hence, all that can be consistently attempted is to keep the animals in a growing state, and prepare them for fat tening cleverly, when food of a more nutritious quality can be procured. Clover and tares will do this effectu ally, the last particularly so when in a podded state. Turnips can also be got by the end of September ; and it must be recollected, that through the summer months a considerable quantity of milk and whey can be given, upon which swine will be found to thrive heartily.
That swine can be supported upon clover during sum mer is not a new doctrine. The practice has long pre vailed in England, and ought to be adopted extensively in this country. We once enclosed a small part of a field with boards, into which swine stock was put, taking care to put a ring into their nose before hand, so that they might not injure the ground, and they throve very well.
In short, a more beneficial stock cannot be kept upon a larm than swine, so long as the quantity kept is in pro portion to the extent of offals about the premises. The other articles recommended are merely meant to render the consumption of offals more beneficial, or to carry on the stock at periods when such offals are scarce. The
charge of attendance is very small ; indeed the benefit gained by the dunghill will more than compensate the expenses incurred. To make as much profit from cattle or sheep as is mentioned, requires a great advance of money ; but in the article of swine hardly any is neces sary, while the most part of the articles consumed can not, in any other way, be converted to such beneficial purposes.
Like other writers, we might have treated of rabbits, poultry, pigeons, bees, and other minor branches of live stock ; but considering that none of them are objects of much advantage to the farmer, nay rather that almost all of them are attended with positive loss, we shall not say a word about them. It is more important to remark, that the attention lately paid to the useful animals is highly creditable to the British farmer, and, in particu lar, that the utmost gratitude of the public is due to Alessrs Bakewell, Culley, and other agriculturists, who have brought the horses, neat cattle, and sheep, of this island to a pitch of improvement, not to be equalled, far less surpassed, by that of other countries. These gentle men have benefited themselves, as was justly their due, by such meritorious exertions ; but, in ancient Rome, they would have received rewards of a different kind— when in life, their heads would have been crowned with laurels ; and, after their death, statues would have been erected to their memories. In Britain, however, the possession of merit is generally the sole reward of the owner; though we state, with pleasure, that a re ward of a different kind has not only been deserved, hut also, in some respect, obtained, by the gentlemen, who have improved the live stock of Britain so much above that of every other country in the world.
On time Use of Oxen and Horses in Rural Labour Before closing this Chapter, it is proper to say a few words on a subject much agitated ; namely, whether oxen or horses arc the most profitable animals for executing rural labour ; in other words, which of these varieties of live stock arc best calculated for that work, and to promote the public interest. On these points, very different opinions have been entertained, though ac cording to our views, the real merits of the subject lie in a very narrow compass.