8 July, 1908.] Fig Brccdmg in Victoria. 417 



for pigs have been higher than has been the case for 40 \ears, prime pigs 

 bringing as much as 6d. per lb., and sometimes yd. per lb. It is therefore 

 highly important to pay more attention to this very remunerative class of 

 stock, the value of which, apparently, has not yet been fully appreciated 

 by our farmers. 



In the matter of breeding, I cannot too strongl}^ emphasize the superiority 

 obtained by mating pure Berkshire and Yorkshire hogs (beyond doubt the 

 best of the English breeds) with half to three-quarter pure-bred Yorkshire 

 and Berkshire sows respectively. Such a cross produces exactly what is 

 wanted ; a fine class of pig is obtained which matures quickly, puts on flesh 

 rapidly, is thrifty, and altogether proves the best paying animal to breed. 

 Bacon-curers and butchers prefer them before all others because of their 

 shapely conformation, thickness and texture of flesh, and smallness of 

 bone. Such a pig is the most suitable both for local and export require- 

 ments. As a separate class the Berkshire holds pride of place, and has 

 long been in favor, but the Yorkshire is of such excellence that it cannot 

 but occupy a prominent position, for the eye of the judge is at once 

 attracted by the type of perfect breeding and sound constitution represented. 

 The sows, too, are very prolific breeders, and farmers cannot go astray if 

 they confine themselves to these two lines for breeding purposes. Last year 

 I purchased a pen of crossed Yorkshire and Berkshire pigs at the Mel- 

 bourne market for ^3 i6s. per head. They were only five months old, 

 but had evidently been full feeders from birth, and when killed w^eighed 

 140 lbs. apiece. With two such litters a year, is there any other branch of 

 farming so remunerative? I think not. Twenty pigs from Dookie College, 

 of the Yorkshire-Berkshire cross, and just over five months, were also sold 

 in the open market last year, and went even better than those I purchased, 

 for they averaged ^4 4s. per head. 



As far as housing accommodation is concerned, it has to me ahvays 

 seemed cruel to stye up pigs in low^-roofed pens. Pure air costs nothing. 

 Every owner should have a barn-like structure, say, 32 feet long, 10 feet 

 wide, and 14 feet high. This should be divided into sleeping apartments, 

 with outside feeding vards, the floors of the whole being bricked and sloped 

 for drainage. Both in summer and winter stock need pure air and healthy 

 surroundings, and you cannot expect them to be healthy or clean if con- 

 fined in small stuffy styes, and filthy muddy yards. Bedding may con- 

 sist of straw, ferns, or leaves, which will also prove invaluable as manure 

 after it has served its purpose. Farmers will find that pigs amply repay 

 for care and attention given, and the small expenditure incurred in provid- 

 ing proper accommodation is more than made up by the increased consti- 

 tutional vigor and robust health of the occupants of the stye. Remember, 

 too, that when parents are sound and health v, they transmit soundness and 

 health to their progeny. 



Now a word as to feeding. The farmer can utilize almost everything 

 grown on the farm, and afterwards top off his pigs with peas, skim-milk, 

 corn, &c. Feed regularly twice a day, and always keep a supply of char- 

 coal and rocksalt near the troughs.' If farmers wish to secure quick 

 returns they must keep their pigs in condition from the time they are 

 weaned, for the young pigs convert a much greater proportion of their 

 food into flesh than do those full grown. Pigs fully fed from the time 

 of weaning and kept in condition will, when five months old, realize top 

 prices in the markets, which is infinitely better than keeping them on as 

 stores. 



6848. O 



