14 



The practical nature of the lessons learned from these tests are indicated in the 

 above deductions. The series of lectures held in which the whole work was made 

 plain, established an exceedingly rational system of pig feeding throughout the district. 

 Through this work also, sympathy between feeders and packers was increased, and this 

 has never been lost. Whenever a disputed point of any moment arises the question is 

 submitted to a committee agreed upon by the county council and the packers to be 

 dealt with. Some time ago a number of patrons of the factory complained that they 

 were being too heavily charged for shrinkage that takes place while the carcasses are 

 cooling. To settle this, extensive tests were carried out under the scrutiny of a 

 satisfactory committee upon whose report a scale of shrinkage, according to weights 

 of pigs killed, was fixed. Since then, farmers supplying hogs are satisfied to allow 4 

 lbs. off the weights of newly slaughtered hogs weighing 180 lbs. alive and 5 lbs. off 

 pigs weighing over this amount. By following this system of settling disputes strained 

 relationships between packers and pig raisers have never been allowed to arise to the 

 great advantage and comfort of all concerned. 



The System of Buying. 



From time to time when the packers find it necessary to change their prices they 

 send out postal cards announcing the new values for the different classes of pigs. 

 Farmers who have pigs ready can book shipments seven days ahead at the current 

 market price. The packer reserves the right to order the booked pigs delivered at the 

 end of the booked period. Unless the packers do this and values do not drop the 

 farmers can rebook for another seven day period. As already pointed out pigs are all 

 bought by dressed weight. The weghts are ta.ken as soon as the carcasses are dressed 

 when a deduction for shrinkage, while cooling, is made according to a standard scale 

 for difi"erent sized hogs. 



This firm carries an advertisement in leading live stock papers offering free trans- 

 portation 100 miles on lots of 10 pigs, and proportion of transportation on smaller 

 lots. As on their post cards they quote in these advertisements graded prices for pigs 

 of difi'erent weights. The weights commanding the highest price are from 120 to 170 

 lbs., dressed weight, and the lowest, except sows and the like, for pigs 200 to 220 lbs., 

 dressed weight. 



Farms Visited. 



The Commission was fortunate in being able to visit the farms of a number of 

 feeders for the Harris Wiltshire factory. Among these were ' The Sands ' farmed by 

 Mr. F. Smith, and ' Lower Sands ' farm leased by the former's son, Mr. A. J. Smith, 

 who fed the experimental pigs during the five years tests and demonstrations. On Mr. 

 A. J. Smith's farm were pens containing pigs in all stages of fattening. One lot of 

 22 head about two months old had just been purchased at $4.85 each. Here, as in 

 almost every district visited, cross bred pigs are preferred to pure breds. Berkshire, 

 Yorkshire and Large Black characteristics were evident in the pens. The pigs were 

 getting slop made from barley meal and bran. All were kept a little short of feed 

 and all, except those near the finished stage, had roomy yards to run in. Skim milk 

 was purchased at one penny a gallon or 20 cents per 100 lbs. At three months old 

 each pig is allowed two quarts of milk per day; when it has reached 100 lbs., on"^ rallon 

 per day is fed but never more. All were getting a small quantity of greeTi 'ood such 

 as vetches, clover, cabbage, etc. Pigs fed in this way usually go to market at 7 months 

 old, weighing about 160 lbs. dressed? As the finishing p.pproaches a small quantity of 

 corn is fed but a little bran or shorts is continued to tlie last. The pigs are fed four 

 times daily — 8 and 11-30 a.m. and 3.30 and 8 p.m. Unless he could get milk at reason- 

 able cost Mr. Smith would not feed pigs extensively. 



Another farm visited was that of W. A. Smith, a tenant of Lord Lansdowne. On 

 340 acres Mr. Smith keeps a herd of about 110 dairy Shorthorn cows, sells milk and 

 buys back separated milk at one penny a gallon. He buys practically all the feed he 

 uses, his food bills usually reaching $10,000 per year for cattle and swine. He is a 

 great believer in keeping the land up, and in buying feed realizes he is fertilizing the 



