16 



for winter fed hogs, at the price of coarse-grains for the last two years. 

 Hired help is too scarce and wages too high to afford to raise many 



roots." 



DUFFERIN. 



A correspondent says: "There has been some experimenting with 

 crossing, but all seem to lead to pure-bred Yorkshires as the most satis- 

 factory hog." This view is strengthened by the other reports received; 

 everyone mentions the Yorkshire, and 40 per cent, refer to the Tamworths 

 and Berkshires, while 6 per cent, make note of Poland Chinas. There 

 are some who advocate the use of the Berkshire for crossing purposes. 

 A considerable number of grade sires are still being used, but farmers 

 appear to be alive to the necessity of care in breeding. 



Speaking of the prospects of production a correspondent writes : 

 It is likely to keep about stationary until the trade gets into better 

 shape; that is, when fewer middlemen are making a living out of the 

 producers." Another says, "Quite a number have gone out of business 

 this year on account of scarcity of feed." Considering the reports cov- 

 vering the whole county, it would appear that the marketable hogs 

 before September 1st will be somewhat less than in 1904 and a little 

 more than in 1905. The number of sows kept varies from two on each 

 farm this year to a little less than two last year and rather more than 

 two in 1904. Eight has been the average number in the litters, and 

 losses have been greater than usual. 



The average estimate for feeding gives the cost as about 50 cents 

 per hundred pounds greater in winter than in summer. The figures are : 

 summer, $4.56, and winter $5.09. Cheaper labor and the feeding of 

 roots are mentioned as being helps toward keeping down the cost of 

 winter feeding. 



Halton. 



The pigs here appear to be nearly all of the Yorkshire or Berkshire 

 breeds and their crosses and grades. In a few cases the Tamworths are 

 raised. One correspondent states that the Yorkshires represent about 

 70 per cent, of all the pigs. Speaking of the kind of hogs being fed 

 one writer says : "The only change has been an improvement with the 

 object of getting a better type of bacon hogs." Another says: "Not 

 much change, except a few Berkshire and Yorkshire crosses, they fatten 

 easier." Less than 25 per cent, of the correspondents make reference 

 to any grade sires in their locality. 



The general feeling is that hogs are profitable, as high as fifty 

 dollars has been paid for a brood sow this year. On an average 2 \ sows 

 are kept on each farm. This is about the same as in 1904, and 20 per 

 cent, better than 1905. The litters run about 8.2 pigs each, with losses 

 somewhat less than usual, due to the mild winter, making it possible 

 for the sows to get sufficient exercise. 



Under ordinary conditions the number of pigs marketed during the 

 summer should be about the same as in 1904, and a little less than in 



