en 



THe JOURNAL 



OF 



^fie department of ^^ncufture 



OP »-' ' 



NEW Yi 



VICT^ORIA. eoTANic 



Vol. X. Part 2. lOth February, 1912. 



THE PIG IXDUSTRY. 



I.— PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION. 



R. T. Archer, Senior Dairy Inspector. 



In all the leading dairying countries the revenue from the pig re- 

 presents a very considerable portion of the farmer's income and is the 

 means of utilizing to the best advantage the by-products of the dairy, 

 viz., skim-milk, butter-milk, and whey. While this applies to the coun- 

 tries against which we have to compete on the markets of the world, it 

 must be admitted that the condition of the industry in the State of Vic- 

 toria is at present very unsatisfactory, and is likely to continue so, until 

 it is placed on a better basis. The problem is how to accomplish it. 

 Fortunately, we have sufficient information to indicate the lines upon which 

 it is advisable to move. 



Twenty-two years ago the financial conditions of Victoria were very 

 depressed and the various products of the soil were correspondingly low 

 in value. Fortunately, other countries had had similar experiences and 

 had overcome them. Our statesmen found a solution of our difficulties 

 in the experiences of Denmark. About 40 years ago, when the principal 

 industry in that country was the production of grain, the farmers had a 

 great struggle to keep their heads above water. Then came the estab- 

 lishment of the dairying industry, which has been the means of bringing 

 prosperitv to them. 



It was the experience of the Danes that influenced our legislators to 

 do so much to develop the export trade of dairy produce from Victoria. 

 This had the desired effect on the finances, and paved the way to the 

 present prosperity. It has become our third staple industry, and enabled 

 us to export in the season 1910-11 butter to the value of two and a half 

 O^ million pounds sterling. 



DC 



