through which the farmer often times puts his products into such shape as make them not only salable but profitable. He acts in one regard in the capacity of a middleman, but differs from that decided personage in this, that he returns all he makes to the farmer, withholding nothing for commissions. What he makes for his master is made on less capital than is invested in other domestic animals. While, too, he does business on a small amount of capital, he is at all times ready to assist in putting money in the purse of the farmer in the most expeditious manner possible. He multiplies and replenishes with amazing rapidity, and is prepared, within a few months, to meet any demands that the market or the wants of starving millions may make upon him.

I will be pardoned, I am sure, for presenting a few facts in this plea for the hog, which will establish the truth of what I have stated as to his money-producing power. By the report of the Chamber of Commerce of Cincinnati, for 1874, I find that in the year preceding the 1st of September that there were received and weighed in Cincinnati

No one will controvert the fact that the average price per pound of hogs exceed that for cattle and sheep. Estimating the value of each, however, at four cents per pound, you have the aggregate value of each kind of stock, as follows:

Thus it appears that the value of hogs for the year named was more than double that of cattle and sheep combined. The report to which I have referred does not give the number or value of horses sold. Estimating them, however, at $1,500,000, then we have the aggregate value of horses, cattle, and sheep, amounting to $4,976,988; while the hogs sold for $7,686,680. The three classes-horses, cattle, and sheep were worth only two-thirds of the amount for which the hogs sold.

In the very admirable work of F. D. Coburn, entitled "Swine Husbandry," I find the following statement of sales made in the great stock markets of the city of Chicago, in the year 1873:

Excess received for hogs over horses, cattle, and sheep...... $14,986,838

Now, in view of these undeniable facts, are the raisers-the exhibiters of swineasking too much when they insist upon having a scale of premiums adopted in which the swine interest shall be becomingly and fairly recognized? and when they urgently ask that ample accommodations shall be provided for their stock, and for those who may have them in keeping? The friends of the hog do not ask that premiums shall be graded in amount by the money-producing power of the several kinds of domestic animals. They do ask, however, that the money-producing quality shall not be utterly

ignored, and that animals which do not produce the one-fiftieth of the amount that the swine of the country produces, shall not be entitled to the privilege of obtaining premiums fifty per cent. in excess of those offered for swine.

In view of the relative amount of money received from the sale of horses, cattle, & wine, and sheep, let us, in the spirit of fairness, and for the correction of the premium list, see what premiums were proffered at the last State Fair:

The premiums offered for swine amounted only to $654.00, which constitute about onefourteenth of the amount offered for domestic animals, and a little more than twice the amount offered for poultry. And yet the value of the product of the hog, in one market at least, exceeds the total value of horses, cattle, and sheep by $14,986,838 for one year. With the foregoing facts, presented solely for the purpose of inviting the attention of the State Board of Agriculture to a revision of the premium list, so that the exhibiters of swine may be placed on an equality with other exhibiters, and that they may have furnished to them correspondingly good accommodations for themselves and their stock, we proceed to report the proceedings of the Committee on Swine.

The committee appointed to pass upon the animals competing in the several classes consisted of Samuel Barr, of Fairfield county, Peter Shafer, of Butler county, and Jesse N. Oren, of Clinton county. These gentlemen were promptly on hand on Tuesday at 1 o'clock P. M., and proceeded to the discharge of their duties.

CHESTER WHITES,

As entered in Entry Book 32, first claimed the attention of the committee. There were only two animals competing for the premiums offered for Chester White boars over two years old. Taylor & Bros., of Waynesville, Illinois, showed a very large and a very fine boar, and received the first premium. The veteran exhibiter, S. H. Todd, of Wakeman, Ohio, received the second premium on a very smooth, but rather small boar.

There were only two competitors for the premiums offered for boars one year old. The first premium was given, without any hesitation, to Messrs. Taylor & Bros., for a very compact, well-built hog, and the second premium awarded to C. M. Stephenson, of Pennsylvania, for a lengthy, unattractive hog.

For the premiums for sows over two years old, there were three entries. The commitmittee had no difficulty in deciding at once that S. H. Todd was entitled to both the first and the second premium on the two sows exhibited by him. They were good animals, in most excellent condition.

There were three entries for the premiums for sows one year old. The first premium was awarded to S. H. Todd, and the second to Taylor Bros.

Four sows, with litters of pigs, were shown for the premiums offered. The first and second premiums were awarded to S. H. Todd. The sow with seven pigs received the first premium, and the sow with the nine pigs received the second premium. These sows, with their progeny, were exceedingly fine, and exhibited the unsurpassed skill

and judgment of Mr. Todd in the breeding and feeding of his stock. There were not only many good, substantial, well-bred pigs in the lot, but there were many pigs exceedingly stylish and symmetrical in their outline.

The list of premiums being short, and the number of animals shown being few, the labors of the committee for the afternoon were neither severe nor of long duration. The committee, therefore, adjourned at an early hour in the afternoon.

POLAND-CHINAS,

As entered in Book 31, claimed the attention of your committee on the morning of Wednesday, the 27th.

For the premiums for two-year old boars, there were nine competing animals, all of which had to be examined critically and thoroughly, to do which many hurdles had to be leaped over, so that the committee could see all the animals competing, some of which were one hundred yards remote from others.

This display of aged boars was unusually attractive, and the excellence of the animals shown made it a matter of great difficulty to determine the relative merits of each. The committee, however, awarded the first premium to Lon Hunter, of Warren county, for his large, fine boar, and the second premium to L E. Parrott, of Washington C. H.

There were six one-year old boars exhibited. Many of them were exceedingly wellbuilt and attractive animals. The first premium in this show was awarded to Hire & Johnson, of Jeffersonville, and the second to M. Slaughter, of South Charleston.

The contest for the premiums for boars under one year was not only sharp, but unusually close. There were thirteen entries, and thirteen excellent pigs exhibited. They were all good pigs, and all deserved commendation. The committee, after a very careful and critical examination, awarded the first premium to M. Slaughter, and the second to Lon Hunter.

Nine sows over two years old competed for the premiums offered. They were all excellent and stylish animals, and yet but two of the nine could receive premiums. The first premium was awarded to M. Slaughter, and the second to Hire & Johnson.

Ten sows over one year old were in competition for the premiums offered. They were all excellent and stylish, and exhibited the skill and good taste of those who bred them. "Lady Maid” was a very attractive animal, and the first premium was awarded to Lon Hunter, her owner, and the second premium was given to Messsrs. Hire & Johnson.

Sows under one year old came next in order. After due and careful examination of their merits, the Committee awarded the first premium to J. C. Chamberlain, of Troy, Ohio, and he second premium to M. Slaughter.

The contest for the premiums for sows with litters of pigs was not only close, but exceedingly interesting. The first premium would have been given to Lon Hunter, but for the fact that he had shown one of his pigs for a separate premium. Mr. Hunter was ignorant of the fact that he could not compete for both premiums. He was ruled out from showing his pigs, and the Committee awarded the first premium to H. Bradford, and the second to S. H. Todd, who has commenced the breeding of Poland-Chinas while giving his attention to his Chester Whites. It is to be hoped that he will be as successful in his breeding of Poland-Chinas as he has been in improving the appearance and good qualities of the Chester Whites.

Thus ended the severe labors of the Committee for the forenoon. In the afternoon the attention of the Committee was called to the examination of

The exhibition of this breed of swine was unusually large and excellent. The animals shown were not only fine in quality, but they were exhibited in their most attractive condition.

In Entry Book No. 30, we found six boars over two years old contending for the premiums The Committee, after giving careful attention to the relative merits of the animals shown, awarded the first premium to S. R. Brown & Son, Buford, Ohio, and the second premium to Charles Elliott & Son, of Bladensburg, Ohio.

For the premiums for boars one year old, there were eight competitors. All of them were fine, and in prime condition. The Committee awarded the first premium to A. Ware, of Fayette county, and the second premium to D. W. Todd, of Urbana, Ohio.

The boars under one year old were numerous, and very nearly equal in quality. The first premium was awarded to A. Ware, and the second to Todd, Clifford & Co., of Vermillion, Ohio.

The show of sows two years old was very close. They were all good. D. W. Todd, of Urbana, however, won the first premium, and A. Ware the second.

Nine sows one year old were on exhibition. They were all good specimens of the breed. The Committee, however, were compelled to give both the first and second premiums to A. Ware for two of his best sows exhibited.

Eleven sows under one year old were next exhibited. After due examination, the Committee awarded the first premium to odd, Clifford & Co., and the second to A. Ware.

Only a dozen sows with their numerous black offspring, without a single mongrel in the entire lot, next claimed the attention of the Committee. The sows were all extra in quality and attractive in appearance, while most of the pigs were absolutely beautiful specimens of the swinish race. After careful scrutiny, the Committee awarded the first premium to A. Ware, and the second premium to Todd, Clifford & Co.

Thus ended the labors of your Committee for Wednesday, the 27th of August.

On Thursday, the 28th, the Committee resumed their duties, and passed first upon the animals entered in Book No. 33 of the

ESSEX BREED.

Of boars, there were only two entries. The only premium offered was awarded to Taylor & Brothers, of Illinois.

The premium for the best sow was awarded to Wm. Smith, of Detroit.

THE SUFFOLK BREED,

Entry Book No. 34, was represented very sparingly by Messrs. Taylor & Brothers, Wm. Smith, and G. M. Hoover.

For the best boar, the premium was awarded to Wm. Smith, and for the best sow, Taylor & Brothers received the premium.

The Essex and Suffolk breeds are not favorites in Ohio. There are only a few to be found on exhibition at any of our fairs. This is somewhat remarkable, as the Essex swine in England and in some of our States are very highly prized for their symmetry of form and their readiness to take on fat at any age with very moderate feed. The Suffolks are even less in number, and have very few friends.

The labors of the Committee to pass on the several classes had now performed its duties. The several members were careful in their examinations and excellent in their

judgments, making their decisions, without comparison of views, with wonderfal unanimity.

SWEEPSTAKES.

A new committee, consisting of Dr. F. M. Black, of Pickaway county; J. B. Guthrie, of La Rue P. O.; and William Heigler, of Washington C. H., entered upon the discharge of their duties at 1 o'clock P.M., on Thursday, the 28th.

For the premium offered for best boar there were eleven competitors, all animals of decided merit. To determine which was the best was a difficult task. After a very close and searching examination of each animal, the premium was awarded to L. E. Parrott. This boar was shown, in competition with others, for the premium offered for the best two year old Poland-China boar, and received the second premium. The award, in this case, shows that good, experienced judges sometimes differ in their conclusions. There were nine entries for the premium offered for the best sow. All the sows exhibited were first class in every regard. The committee decided that Lon Hunter, of Warren county, was entitled to the premium.

THE FAT HOG SHOW

Was by no means an attractive feature of the swine exhibition. There were only three animals that competed. The premium was soon awarded to William Smith, of Detroit.

THE POLAND-CHINA HERD

Premium was competed for by the exhibition of five very superior herds, consisting of one boar and two sows. It is doubtful whether fifteen finer animals, of any breed of swine, were ever shown at any exhibition in the United States. The boars were all firstclass, and the sows were in every regard their equals. The committee awarded the premium to Messrs. Hire & Johnson, of Jeffersonville, Ohio.

THE CHESTER WHITE HERDS

Were not numerous. There were only two exhibited, and the Pennsylvania representative of the Chester Whites could not successfully compete with the veteran breeder of Chester Whites in Ohio, S. H. Todd. Mr. Todd's animals were superior, and were awarded the premium.

THE BERKSHIRE HERD

Silver medal was sought after by half a dozen competitors. The animals shown were all good, and in their most attractive condition. They, as well as the other herds, had been well feed and well groomed, and gave the best possible evidence to the public that their owners understood the manner of presenting their stock to critical examiners. The premium for best herd was awarded to A. Ware, of Washington C. H., Fayette county Ohio.

Thus terminated the labors of the committee on Sweepstakes, and the contest for the premiums offered in the Swine department. The whole exhibition was creditable to the exhibiters and to the State. There was nothing occurred to mar or disturb even the temper of disappointed competitors. Contests were exceedingly close, and while many regretted that some exhibiters were not more fortunate, yet all cordially acquiesced in the decisions of the committees.