i6o 



Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [lo March, 1912. 



THE PIG INDUSTRY. 



{Continued from Page 82.) 

 R. T . Archer, Senior Dairy Inspector. 



II.— THE NEED FOR CO-OPERATIVE EFFORT. 



Denmark's Example. 



What is the remedy for these unsatisfactory conditions? Co-operation. 

 The results of co-operation in Denmark will surely indicate the lines on 

 which we should act. The trade in that country was entirely controlled 

 by private or proprietary firms until the year 1888, when the first co- 

 operative bacon curing factory was established. The following figured 

 will give a good idea of the results : — 



Year. 



1888 

 1889 

 1893 

 1894 

 1895 

 1896 

 1897 

 1900 

 1901 

 1902 

 1903 



Number of 



Co-operative 



Bacon Factories. 



1 

 8 

 14 

 15 

 17 

 20 

 25 

 26 

 26 

 27 

 29 



Number of Pigs killed. 



23,400 

 131,500 

 317,780 

 385,700 

 528,800 

 626,850 

 583,400 

 660,000 

 651,000 

 777,200 

 About 800,000 



In addition to the co-operative factories, there were 25 private factories. 



Each factory serves a tract of country about 16 miles in radius, within 

 which the pigs are fattened, and the average number supplied by each 

 farmer per year runs from 10 to 12. They reckon to supply a pig for 

 each cow they milk. In 1902, 777,200 pigs killed by the co-operative 

 factories averaged 129 lbs. in weight. The price realized averaged 

 64s. 6d., or 6d. per lb. free to the owner. 



In the Danish factories no part of the pig is lost, even the bristles 

 are of value. The blood is dried and prepared for feeding horses, cows, 

 and poultry. For the disposal of the cheaper cuts of bacon, liver, 

 sausages, &c., the factories have established shops in their local towns. 

 The tails, feet, and heads nearly all go to Ireland in barrels, while the 

 cured bacon almost wholly goes to Great Britain. The cost per pig of 

 killing and curing averages 2s. 6d., while the charges for freight and 

 selling, in the British markets, 8i.c., come to about 2s. 9d., equal to about 

 Jd. per lb. 



