82 



Journal of Agriculture , Victoria. [lo Feb., 19 12. 



The Byron Bay Co-operative Bacon Factory Company (New South Wales) 

 claims that it can place bacon on any market at 56. to 5fd. per lb. 

 At the present time we see the market quotations as follows : — 



Best Porkers, suitable for first-class counter trade, lealized from 4d. to i\^d , 

 a few medium to good realized from 2)k'^- to ji^d. ; prime bacon sizes, 3d. to 3|d. : 

 medium, from 2gd. to 2|d. ; and heovy lots less. 



Baco7i. — There was an improved demand yesterday. Prime light-weight sides 

 are selling at from Ggd. to 6|d., special lines commanding higher rates; medium 

 to good realize from 5d. to 5|d., and occasionally to 6d. ; shoulders offering at 

 down to 45d. per lb. ; middles, S^d. to gd. 



Hams. — In anticipation of Christmas, trade was brisk. Prime light weights 

 are quoted at from lod. to lo^d., up to is. being mentioned for special cures, 

 whilst for medium weights and quality, down to qd. is being accepted. 



These quotations show a considerable margin between the buving and 

 selling prices. 



The Future Prospects of the Industry. 



The future prospects of the industry, so far as this country is con- 

 cerned, may be considered decidedly hopeful. While it is temporarily 

 under a cldud, experience goes to show that all that is required is proper 

 organization to place it on a sound footing. With this it should develop 

 into a very important branch of the export trade. 



Statistics show that two great sources of supply to the British market 

 (United States and Canada) are gradually but surely declining, and ere 

 long must cease altogether on account of the rapid increase in population 

 and the consequent increased food requirements in those countries. In 

 Denmark, we cannot expect to .see any great increase in production as 

 the limit has been almost reached. Holland and Sweden are the only 

 other European countries from \\hich we may anticipate competition. The 

 rapid growth of the population in central Europe increases the food re- 

 quirements of those countries where there is already a short supply of 

 animal foods generally. As we have seen, China is likely to become a 

 rival. 



:hampion pen of porkers (labge Yorkshires). 

 {To he Continued^ 



