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Caption: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1884
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SUPPLEMENTARY ON PAPER " CHEMISTRY OF THE HOG." BY WILLIAM McMUETEIE, E. M., P H . D., Professor of Chemistry. [This paper was completed after the body of this report was printed.] The subject of the general composition of the carcasses of farm animals, produced under varying conditions of breeding and feeding, is one that has received at the hands of agricultural chemists but a limited share of attention. Previous to 1883 almost the sole information we had on the subject was the result of the labors of Messrs. Lawes and Gilbert, on the celebrated Kothramstead farm, with some little work performed on the continent. And when, at the request of Col. G. F . Mills, President of the Illinois Swine Breeders' Association, we undertook to collate some facts relative to the chemistry of the hog, the dearth of such information, especially as regards American stock, became apparent. Nothing could be gleaned bearing upon the composition of the carcasses of the several well-known breeds, and in the limited time then at command we undertook the slaughter and analysis of selected animals to determine these relations. It was our intention to secure animals of the more prominent breeds, fed according to the generally adopted methods of the best managed Illinois farms, and brought to the condition and weight usually considered best suited for market, but it proved that this was more easily planned than accomplished. On making search for animals just such as were desired, not all the breeds we had in mind could be found. Thus it seemed desirable that the series for the purpose should include animals of the same sex and age, from the Poland China, Berkshire, Chester, Sussex, Essex and Duroc breeds; but, upon inquiry among the breeders of the section, it appeared that the first two breeds above named were the favorites, and representative animals of only these two breeds could therefore be secured. The investigation was unsatisfactory on very many accounts, the principal being the comparatively unreliable character of the source
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