II Oct., 1909.] Pig-Raising. 647 



PIO-RAISING. 



TT'. Sni/th. Pig Expert. 



Farmers will study their own interests if they take up pig-raising, as 

 there is nothing so profitable on the farm as the pig. If it is the right 

 thing to have a" dairy farm, then it is also imperative to grow pigs, for the 

 simple reason coavs and pigs should always be run together, as a business. 



When growing root crops and green fodder for his cows the farmer 

 can easily grow a little extra for his sows and young pigs. If he studies 

 the right breed of pigs he can increase his income four-fold; not only that, 

 he will be giving the land manure in abundance. 



There is need for a great increase in pig-raising, if an extensive export 

 trade is to lie created, and the local demand maintained on its present 

 profitable basis. Great Britain pays annually ^19,000,000 to foreign 

 countries for pig products. I'ork has been successfully exported to 

 London, and that market would take a large quantity at profitable rates, 

 if it were available. But the present condition of the industry holds out 

 no promise of an oversea trade being developed as we are scarcely able to 

 keep up supplies for the expansion in Australian consumption, which is 

 ever on the increase, especiallv for Victorian pork, hams and bacon. 



The census of 1901 showed that there were 350,370 pigs in Victoria, 

 in 1905 the number had dropped to 286,070, in 1906 to 273,682, in 

 1907 to 220,452, and in 1908 to 211,000. In the last issue of the Vic- 

 torian Year-Book the Government Statist, in referring to- the live stock in 

 Australia in 1907, stated that the most striking feature was the all-round 

 decrease in the number of pigs. As compared with 1905, the reduction 

 was as much as 25 per cent, in Tasmania and Western Australia, 22 per 

 cent, in New South Wales, 20 per cent, in Victoria. 16 per cent, in 

 Queensland, and 9 per cent, in South Australia. All other stock showed 

 an increase. 



In 190T there were 231,752 pigs slaughtered in Victoria, and 

 13,204,547 lbs. of bacon and hams manufactured in the factories and on 

 the farms. In 1905, the numbers had risen to 248,568 slaughtered, and 

 16,433,655 lbs. of bacon and hams made; in 1906 there was a further 

 increase of 273,391 pigs slaughtered, and an output of 18,051,166 lbs. of 

 bacon and hams. The fact is a great improvement has taken place during 

 the last few years in the methods of feeding, and fattening of pigs, and 

 in the process of manufacturing the products. This, in turn, has led 

 to an increase in the demand for these goods, even though the prices charged 

 for them are higher than they were ten years ago. It is, this increase m 

 the demand for bacon, hams and pork, because of the uniformly high 

 quality they have attained in this State, which enables such high prices 

 to be paid for pigs. At the Franco-British Exhibition, the Victorian pigs 

 were greatly admired, and gained the highest awards possible, viz., the 

 grand champion prize against the world, as frozen pork, as well as hams 

 and bacon. 



Breeding and Feeding. 



The best breed is the Yorkshire and Berkshire cross. The Yorkshire 

 boar should be pure bred ; the sow should be of the Berkshire type, half 

 to three-quarter bred with plenty of size and well-shaped ham, deep ribbed, 

 straight back, small head, good bone not too large, and clo.se to the ground, 

 with well-.shaped feet, and plenty of hair, twelve teats, and of good 

 breeding quality. Both sexes should be at least eight months old before 

 thev are allowed to breed. Get as many litters as you can ; keep the sow 



