•25 



Grade sires are used to a limited extent in quite a number of sec- 

 tions, and in several sections quite extensively. There is a desire in a 

 number of districts to purchase young pig's for feeding, but, as is the case 

 in a number of the eastern counties, they are not available. This shows 

 there is a desire to increase the output, which will probably have an effect 

 about November or December. A report states : 'The hog question was 

 never on a better footing than at present. Spring pigs are being bought 

 ctt extraordinary prices. The market is very encouraging, and the by- 

 products of our dairy industry will be larger this season than ever, so 

 that more hogs will be fed." The number of brood sows will be consid- 

 erably more than in 1905, about the same number as in 1904. The 

 average litter is 7.16. Reports from most sections give a very high per- 

 centage of loss among young pigs. Present indications are that deliv- 

 eries will be considerably less before September 1st than in either 1904 

 or 1905. Some sections, however, report a probable increase. The cost 

 of feeding varies from $3.25 to $6 per cut. for summer feeding and $4 to 

 $8 for winter feeding. The average of estimates for summer feeding is 

 §4-47 P er cwt., and for winter feeding S5.48 per cut. 



Stormont. 



The popularity of the breeds is in the order named : Yorkshires, 

 Berkshires, Chester Whites and Tamworths, apparently not very many 

 of the latter. The Yorkshire seems to be gaining ground, a favorite 

 cross being either Yorkshire-Berkshire or Yorkshire-Chester White. In 

 several sections there appears a disposition to go more to Berkshires, 

 and in one section from Berkshires to Chester Whites. Grade sires are 

 used to a limited extent in quite a number of districts. There is quite 

 an evident feeling that it is desirable to increase the output on account 

 of prices, but in a large number of sections there seems to be a great 

 scarcity of young pigs. The number of breeding sows will show quite 

 a large increase in the county, probably about 30 per cent, over 1904. 

 The average litter is 7.31. Sixty per cent, of the correspondents report a 

 greater loss than usual ; ten per cent, report a more favorable year, while 

 thirty per cent, state the loss was about the same as is usually the case. 

 The report from one section states : "Farmers are increasing the number 

 of breeding sows every year. This year they are raising some fine youno- 

 sows, principally Yorkshires." The report from another district states 

 Ihe average farmer keeps about two brood sows right along, regardless 

 of market fluctuations." The correspondents are about equally divided 

 on the question of a greater or less delivery up to September 1st, so that 

 it is probable the output from the county will average about the same as 

 1905. Some sections may send heavier deliveries and others lighter 

 I he average for cost of summer feeding is $4.27 per cwt., and for winter 

 feeding is $5.17 per cwt. The highest estimate for winter feeding is $6 2? 

 per cwt., and the lowest $4 per cwt. The highest for summer feeding- is 

 $5-5° P er cwt., and the lowest $3 per cwt. 



