BULLETIN 225] [DECEMBER 1914 



Ontario Department of Agriculture 



ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 



SAvine 



By G. E. DAY, B.S.A. 



PART I. 



THE PLACE OF THE HOG UPON THE FARM 



The swine industry occupies a rather peculiar position in many localities. 

 Swine multiply rapidly and come into use for breeding at an earlier age than other 

 farm animals; consequently, it takes only a short time for farmers to increase or 

 decrease their stock, as the case may be. 



Fluctuations in Hog Supply. — When, owing to scarcity in the supply of 

 hogs, the price for hogs goes up, we find farmers increasing the number of breeding 

 sows, and in a very short time the supply of hogs coming to market increases to 

 such an extent that the price is likely to break. If the decrease in price is very 

 severe, the farmer becomes disgusted, and the chances are that many farmers will 

 sell their breeding sows and practically go out of the business. This unloading 

 process adds to the burden of the market, and general demoralization is apt to 

 follow. By and by, after the market has absorbed the excessive supplies thrown 

 upon it, a scarcity occurs again, owing to so many having gone out of the business 

 of hog raising, and prices once more reach a high level. This is a signal for 

 farmers to rush again into hog raising, and overstock their farms in many cases, 

 so that once more the market becomes top-heavy, and the history of the hog market 

 repeats itself. 



Now, it is altogether probable that very few of those who were tempted to rush 

 into the business on account of high prices obtained any profit from the venture. 

 They paid high prices for breeding stock, but by the time they had hogs ready for 

 the market the decline in prices began, and before they were throiigh they- were 

 selling their hogs at a loss, 



Profit from Hogs. — The man who makes money out of hogs is the man 

 who has hogs to sell when prices are high, whose farm is never over-stocked, nor 

 yet entirely depleted ot its supply. He knows how many hogs his farm will carry 

 to advantage under average circumstances, and he practises a wise conservatism. 

 When prices are high, he has a good profit, when they are low, his profit is small 

 but the average is fairly satisfactory. He may slightly expand or contract his 

 operations at various times, but he never " plunges." 



The " plunger " is apt to find himself " in " when he ought to be " out," and 

 " out" when he ought to be " in." The other man is " in " at all times, but never 

 to such an extent as to be seriously damaged when the market goes wrong. 



