17 



1905, but there is a tendency to rush feeding faster than usual to avoid 

 the drop in price that often occurs the latter part of September. This 

 may mean that deliveries will be quite heavy between August 15th and 

 September 15th. 



Regarding the cost of production, one correspondent says: "Not 

 many farmers take the trouble to figure out the cost accurately, but all 

 are agreed there is no profit when the price drops below five cents per 

 pound." The sum of the opinions expressed gives $4.54 as the sum- 

 mer cost, and $5.44 in winter, for each one hundred pounds. The esti- 

 mates go as low as $3.50 in summer and up to $7 in winter. 



Peel. 



One correspondent says: "Some think the Yorkshires are slow to 

 mature and haVd to fatten, and are changing to the Berkshire. The 

 cross between the Berkshire and Yorkshire is being tried lately ; they 

 mature quicker and will sell at six or seven months, whereas the York- 

 shire takes seven or eight months, and you get the same price for the 

 cross as you do for the pure-bred." Although a few Tamworths are 

 kept the Yorkshires are largely in the majority, with Berkshires a fair 

 second. 



A number of grade sires are in service, and one person remarks of 

 his locality, that although "No grade sires are used some poor speci- 

 mens of pure-breds are." There is considerable anxiety about the price? 

 packers will give later on. Some are going to increase their breeding 

 herds and others would like to could they be assured of the continua- 

 tion of the present profitable prices. Mention is made of hogs being 

 sent to Toronto market weighing 100 pounds or less when dressed. 

 There is some improvement evident in the number of sows kept; in 

 1904 the average was about 2; 1905, a little less than 2, and in 1906 

 over 2^ sows per farm. The pigs in each litter average about j%. 

 Most reports show losses very much the same as last year. In some 

 cases where there are many young sows the losses have been heavier. 

 Deliveries between now and September 1st will be less than usual. 



The average cost of summer feeding is $4.74, and $5.43 the cost 

 of winter feeding. Emphasis is laid upon the cost of grain and labor 

 as factors influencing the cost of production. 



York. 



The claim that the Berkshires are easier feeders than other breeds 

 shows its effects in some sections, and this breed is quite commonly 

 used. One writer says: "Most farmers have procured Berkshire sows 

 which are easily kept, good breeders, quiet and gentle with their litters, 

 and while crossed with Tamworths still produce a good bacon pig-" This 

 does not apply to the whole county, for the Yorkshire has a strong hold 

 and seems to be more numerous than all other breeds together. A few 

 Chester Whites and Tamworths are found in some localities. The 

 majority of farmers are anxious to raise pigs suitable for the bacon 

 2—149 



