9 



that the Yorkshires are no better than some other breeds." 'The Berk- 

 shires are taking- the place of the Yorkshires and Tamworths. " "I 

 can get the best results from a Chester \Yhite sow crossed with a 

 Berkshire boar." "Some of the neighbors tried Poland Chinas, but 

 they did not give satisfaction." "In some cases a change has been 

 made from the Yorkshires and Tamworths to Chester Whites and 

 Berkshires, but in the majority of cases they have in a short time 

 changed back. Farmers made the change from a false idea of economy, 

 believing that Chester Whites and Berkshires could be made to weigh 

 200 pounds with less feed. Small litters and an excess of fat at an early 

 age has more than counterbalanced this." The general opinion is 

 strongly in favor of the Yorkshire. The Berkshire appears to be increas- 

 ing at the expense of the Tamworths and the American breeds. A York- 

 shire-Berkshire crosses growing more popular, but as a rule farmers 

 are careful of the type, having a desire to produce good bacon hogs. 

 Only two-fifths of the correspondents report the use of some grade sires 

 in the districts. One says, "Farmers see that it does not pay to breed 

 or feed hogs from scrubby dams bred to grade sires as they used to 

 do." 



Quite a strong tendency to increase production is noted. A writer 

 says that farmers will do all in their power to supply the shortage 

 caused by shutting out American hogs. Another believes that if the 

 packers continue to make it worth the farmer's while, by sufficient re- 

 muneration, Ontario can and will produce the right article, and in suf- 

 ficient quantity to keep the packing houses supplied continuously. 



Brood sows now average 2.5 to each farm, whereas in 1905 there 

 were 2.1, and in 1904, 2.2. sows each. Litters have been very good, 

 averaging 8.1 pigs, and losses have been about normal. Hogs marketed 

 between now and September 1st will be less than for the last two years; 

 an increase may be looked for during the autumn, and if prices keep 

 up there should be heavy increases in production during the next year. 



Speaking of the cost of feeding hogs, one correspondent makes a 

 frank admission. He says : "This is the average farmer's failing. I 

 do not know. ' ' The average of what the cost is thought to be is : 

 Per hundred pounds, $4.58 in summer, $5.28 in winter. Those who 

 have not kept account of the cost should take particular notice of the 

 following extract from one farmer's report: "We have as yet made 

 no experiments to ascertain difference in winter and summer production. 

 For the entire year of 1903 the cost of producing a pound cf pork was 

 3.63 cents; for 1904, 3.49 cents." It will be noticed that these figures 

 are much lower than what is usually thought to be the cost of production. 



Brant. 



The most popular breeds of swine are the Yorkshire, Berkshire 

 and Tamworth. The Yorkshire is the leading breed, while the Berk- 

 shire is popular in some sections for crossing with the other breeds. It 



