lo Feb., 1912.] 



The Pig Industry. 



11 



Unprecedented Rise in Prices. 

 Whatever may be the cause of this decrease, the effect of smaller 

 supplies from Canada and elsewhere has been to cause a serious and un- 

 precedented rise in price of bacon in this country. A comparison of 

 prices is given below : — 



Such abnormal prices at once reduce consumption. It has been stated 

 that 70 per cent, of the households in the United Kingdom are main- 

 tained on 45s. per week or less, and higher prices therefore operate at once 

 to diminish purchases. The prospect of Canadian and United States 

 supplies of bacon continuing to be restricted causes concern in the provi- 

 sion trade in Great Britain, and it is being pointed out that attention in 

 that country could profitably be directed towards increasing home supplies. 

 It is urged there would be, in consequence, less dependence on outside 

 sources, while the prohibitive prices ruling at the present time may per- 

 haps be avoided in the future. 



New Sources of Supply. 

 New sources of supply are being found. Russia, Siberia, and Holland 

 are being drawn upon, while consignments of pigs have been received 

 from China. Canadian farmers must maintain an abundant supply of 

 Jiogs if the Dominion is to successfully compete with a country like Den- 

 mark, where painstaking attention is devoted not only to the successful 

 production of bacon, but also to the maintenance of regular supplies to 

 this great market. It is to be noted that a large British co-operative 

 society has decided to establish three factories in Denmark, where the 

 conditions are so favorable for production, and at least one of the largest 

 private bacon curers in the United Kingdom, whose products have a high 

 reputation has also decided to follow this example. 



