Australia : The Dairy Country. 17 



Sibout 4^/2 tons, the selling price was 10 cents per pound a margin 

 of over 6 cents per pound over and above the cost of feed." 



This statement is of interest as showing the position of the 

 industry when everything has been paid for at well above market 

 rates for the produce, and in a degree serves to emphasise the much- 

 improved position of the breeder who, with root crops and pasture 

 land, is able to dispense with the costs incurred in purchasing foods 

 for fattening purposes on the open market. 



Throughout the Commonwealth there is a difference of opinion 

 regarding the relative value of the manner in which the predominat- 

 ing breeds, the Berkshire and Yorkshire, are crossed in raising pigs 

 for market. This no doubt will always exist, owing to predilection 



A Happy Family. 



of breeders towards particular types, and to the relative merits 

 resulting from the various crosses. The main point is that both 

 breeds are wonderfully well suited to Australian conditions, and that 

 they are prolific. Brood sows will, if kept in an ordinarily thrifty 

 condition, farrow two litters of pigs in the year, which will number 

 from eight to twelve pigs to the litter. If anything, the predominat- 

 ing cross favours the use of the Yorkshire boar with the Berkshire 

 sow. The cross has this advantage that the litters will consist of all 

 white pigs. The boar used should be pure and the sow of good 

 type, preferably three-quarter bred.. The average litter from such 

 a cross is eight. These, if kept until about five months, will weigh 

 out at about 140 Ibs., and at 12 cents per lb., the ruling price, will 

 return approximately $16.80 apiece, or $268.80 per year from each 

 sow. In some instances as many as five litters may be obtained 



