20 



Durham. 



The popular breeds are the Yorkshires, Berkshires and Tamworths, 

 and stand in favor in order as named. Occasionally a Chester White 

 is found and mention is made of Duroc Jerseys. The Tamworth 

 appears to be growing- in favor, being- used largely for crossing with 

 both Yorkshires and Berkshires. Appreciating the value of the bacon 

 trade, the farmers generally are giving careful attention to studying; 

 the needs of the trade with a view to breeding and feeding the right 

 class of hogs. The care taken in breeding is strongly emphasized by 

 the remarks made concerning the sires used. Only one out of every 

 eight correspondents is aware of any grade sires being used in his 

 locality. 



There does not appear to be any strong desire to increase the out- 

 put. One writer says : "I do not think there will be any great increase; 

 when we raise more hogs we get less money. If we could be sure of 

 $6 per hundred weight at all times we would supply the market with 

 all the hogs wanted." The scarcity of help and the high price of grains 

 are also affecting production. The average number of sows kept on 

 each farm in 1904 was 2.2; in 1905, 2.4, and in 1906, 2.1. The decrease 

 in the number of sows, a decrease in the size of litters (7.5 pigs each), 

 and an increased loss among young pigs, will cause a rather large 

 shrinkage in the number of hogs to be marketed during the summer. 



According to- figures received, it costs $4.52 to produce one hundred 

 pounds in summer and $5.23 with winter feeding. 



Northumberland. 



The Yorkshire appears to be the leading breed, with both Tam- 

 worths and Berkshires following close up. One writer says : 'There 

 has been a slight tendency to go back to the Berkshire, which used to 

 to be the prevailing breed, but it has not been general as yet." There 

 is a great deal of crossing done with these breeds. Chester Whites 

 are occasionally used. In some localities they have not yet entirely 

 discarded the grade sires, but improvement is being made in these 

 as well as in the grade sows by grading up. 



Owing to a better price having been paid during the past year, 

 there is a disposition on the part of farmers to produce more swine, 

 but there is a shortage of breeding sows which will curtail the output 

 for some time. Still there is a slight increase in the number of sows. 

 The figures given average 2.3 per farmer for 1906; 1.9 for 1905, and 

 2.1 for 1904. Spring litters run about 7.3 pigs, with losses considerably 

 greater than usual. A number of sows have lost their whole litters. 

 Supplies available for market before September 1st will probably be a 

 little less than during the same period of 1905 and considerably short 

 of 1904. 



The cost of growing hogs appears to be less than in most parts 

 of Ontario; $4.20 is the average cost in summer, and $5.14 in winter 

 for one hundred pounds. 



