BULLETIN 149.1 [JULY, 1906. 



Ontario Department of Agriculture. 



LIVE STOCK AND FARMERS' INSTITUTES BRANCHES- 



The Swine Industry in Ontario. 



Introduction. 



The information regarding- the condition of the swine industry in 

 the various counties throughout the Province, and the general feeling of 

 the producers and feeders towards the industry, have been obtained from 

 the replies to a number of questions contained in a circular sent to corre- 

 spondents by the Bureau of Industries. 



The object of procuring and compiling this information is to place 

 everyone interested in a position to obtain a more intimate knowledge 

 regarding the hog production of the Province, with special reference to 

 the present conditions affecting production. Each person should thus 

 be able to decide more intelligently as to what his policy should be with 

 reference to the production and feeding of hogs at the present time. 



Following is the list of questions referred to : — 



(i) What breeds, grades or crosses of hogs appear to be most popu- 

 lar in your district? 



(2) Has ther,e been any general tendency to change from one breed 

 or type of hog to another during the last two or three years? 



(3) If there has been any change in the kind of hogs fed, please 

 describe the nature of the change. 



(4) Are grade sires used in your district? 



(5) What is the general feeling among farmers in your section as 

 to the hog production this year? Do they show a disposition to increase 

 their output and to what extent? 



(6), About how many breeding sows were kept by the average farmer 

 of your section in 1904? How many in 1905? How many this season? 



(7) What is the average number of pigs to reach weaning age in 

 spring litters this year? Has the percentage of loss been greater than 

 usual. 



(8) How will the delivery of hogs between now and September 1st 

 compare with that of 1904 and 1905? 



(9) What do you consider the average cost of production of bacon 

 hogs fitted for market? (a) Summer feeding; (b) Winter feeding. 



With reference to question 1, a large number of correspondents 

 replied to it by giving the name of breed or breeds most popular in their 

 district. While, in the particulars regarding each county, credit is 

 given to these breeds it must undoubtedly be read to include not only 

 the pure-breds of the breed mentioned, but also the grades of that breed. 

 It should also be noted that in reply to this question some correspondents 



