Willis Fawcett

“ In my last to you I promised to furnish a calculation of the probable increase in Hogs properly managed in Texas – Suppose then we have 100 Breeding sows; that they shall be eighteen months old before breeding; that they have two litter of pigs each year; that the pigs shall be half of each gender; and that each sow shall raise six pigs from each litter. Is there any incorrectness in this foundation for a calculation? read it again – it certainly is not painted – in fact the sows will breed frequently at twelve & fifteen months of age; in Texas they are known to breed often three times a year ”

“ You see through the estimate the Breeding sows started with are simply multiplied by six, three of each gender, until the sow pigs become eighteen months old, when they are added to the hundred Breeding sows and also multiplied by six – the calculation is based upon the compound interest principle, so much admired by worshipers of Gold and which we especially in our condition should have a respect for. ”

“ When Ellison was here two or three weeks ago he made me promise, if I went to Alabama, that I would go through Philadelphia by the way of Pittsburg or Wheeling – but the selection of my route must depend on expedition & cost.
I fear that I shall have to remain in service to the last day & then take the most direct route on account of the indisposition of the Department to favor me – but this is not yet certain. ”