6 



increase in breeding- stock. The average sow has brought through 8 

 pigs, which is about the usual number. Production of pigs fit for market 

 before September ist is expected to slightly exceed that of the last two 

 years. 



Cost of feeding in summer varies from $2.50 to $5 per hundred; in 

 winter from $4 to $6. $4-50 is the average for summer and $5.21 for 

 winter. 



Welland. 



The majority of hogs in this county are Berkshires or Yorkshires 

 and crosses of the two. Some use Tamworths and a few farmers have 

 Chester Whites. In districts from which hogs are shipped to the pack- 

 ing houses care is taken to produce a good type, and the Yorkshire is 

 growing in favor. Where breeders are catering to the local markets 

 only they raise shorter hogs and often sell them when they weigh from 

 100 to 140 pounds. But few grade sires are used. 



There is very little tendency to increase production. Some farmers 

 seem inclined to abandon hog raising because of the uncertainty of pro- 

 fits. The number of breeding sows to the farm is gradually decreas- 

 ing, being 1.73 in 1904; 1.47 in 1905, and 1.42 in 1906. Litters are a 

 little smaller than usual, the average number weaned this season is 7.6. 

 Because of the smaller number of breeding sows, reduced litters and 

 the number of hogs sold to supply the local markets at five or six 

 months of age the output this summer will show a decrease. 



Large quantities of refuse are used for feeding hogs, and pasturing 

 in orchards is extensively practised, so the cost of feeding is lower than 

 in some other counties. The average of estimates for summer feeding 

 is $4.38 per hundred and $5.15 for winter. One correspondent says: 

 '/The bacon hog can be produced at a smaller cost than a great many 

 imagine if they have good pasture (clover and peas) in summer and 

 roots and other green food in winter. 



Lincoln. 



The leading breeds in this county are Yorkshires, Berkshires, 

 Chester Whites, and Tamworths. For crossing with the Yorkshire, 

 the Berkshire and Chester White are largely used. When the Chester 

 Whites are used the desire is to get white pigs without any particular 

 consideration for bacon quality. The general tendency is to improve 

 the breeding of the pigs to make them better able to meet the require- 

 ments of pork packers. Quite a number of grade sires are still being 

 used throughout the county. 



Where general farming is practised there will be some increase in 

 the output, but a great many keep just sufficient hogs to eat the refuse 

 from their fruit farms, and with these the numbers do not vary much 

 from year to year. The average number of sows kept in 1904 and 1905 

 is 1.25 and in 1906, 1.5. The litters were very satisfactory, averaging 

 8.5 pigs each at weaning age, with losses a little less than usual. 



