15 



SlMCOE. 



The most popular breed in this county is the Yorkshire. Berkshires 

 and Tamworths are also found in quite large numbers; there are also 

 a few Chester Whites. Crosses of these different breeds will be found 

 in almost all sections. Some sections show ah inclination to produce 

 a slightly thicker pig than before, while in other sections they are work- 

 ing in the opposite direction. Taking the county as a whole there 

 appears to be no tendency to change from the type of hogs now being 



produced. 



In a great many sections grade sires are used. There appears to 

 be quite a general belief that the tendency is to increase the production, 

 some estimates going as high as 50 per cent. The following are quota- 

 tions from different correspondents: "Farmers have been wild on hogs, 

 and most of them have been stocking to a larger extent; some instead 

 of keeping one brood sow are increasing to two, and in some cases 

 more than two." "Farmers are a little conservative about increasing 

 their bacon stock. While they are increasing their output, they are 

 not rushing into it as they formerly did. They recognize that they can 

 only grow a certain number of hogs at a profit." "Brood sows arc 

 scarce, farmers having sold so many in 1904, and they do not seem 

 disposed to keep any sows that will bring them $14 or $15 from the 

 drover, and run the risk of low prices in the near future." 'The low 

 prices of 1904 induced a great many to part with their brood sows; 

 and last winter they were all anxious to replace them, and brood sows 

 have been going at fabulous prices." "The general feeling is that there 

 is no money in feeding hogs when the price is under $6 a hundred." 



There was considerable decrease in the number of breeding sows 

 in 1905,, and in 1906 there was a good increase over 1905, but still 

 considerably below the number in 1904. 



The size of the average litter is 7.22. There does not seem to be 

 anything out of the ordinary in the percentage of loss of young pigs. 

 It will probably be found, taking the county as a whole, that the deliv- 

 ery before September 1st will be a little better than in 1905, but con- 

 siderably lighter delivery than in 1904. In some sections, however, the 

 delivery will probably be lighter than in 1905. One correspondent states : 

 "I have been a shipper of hogs for some time. In 1905 it was easier to 

 get a double-deck than I can now get a single-deck ; in fact, it is neces- 

 sary now at times to ship half a carload." About 30 per cent, of the 

 correspondents do not state the cost of feeding. In nearly every case 

 where the cost is given they state it is simply an estimate ; that no 

 accurate figures are given. The cost of summer feeding varies from 3! 

 cents to 5^ cents ; winter feeding from 4^ to 6| cents. The average of 

 the estimates for summer feeding is $4-55 per cwt., and for winter 

 feeding $5.44 per cwt. One correspondent states : "I would sooner 

 not raise any hogs except for my own use, unless I was pretty sure 

 of getting $5.50 per hundred for summer fed hogs, and $6.00 per hundred 



