INTRODUCTION 



During the ten years ending with 1905, marked progress was made in Canada in 

 the swine rearing industry. The annual production greatly increased and the majority 

 of pigs raised changed from the ordinary pork type to that suitable for the production 

 of bacon of the most valuable class. From small beginnings in the early nineties the 

 export bacon trade with Great Britain grew by rapid strides until in the year 1905 

 Canada supplied Great Britain with about 20 per cent of her imported bacon. For 

 three years this high level was maintained, but since 1907 a rapid decline has been in 

 operation until there was general fear expressed that the industry, in so far as the 

 export trade is concerned, is seriously menaced. The situation has given rise to much 

 debate as to the actual cause, and keen anxiety in regard to the future of the industry. 

 During the session of Parliament of 1909 delegations representing different classes 

 interested in the industry came to Ottawa to recommend to the Government remedies 

 varying according to the view point of the respective delegations. Some wanted 

 alterations made in the Customs duties, others urged demonstrations in the cheap 

 production of pork, while others again suggested the wisdom of sending a delegation 

 to Denmai'k and the United Kingdom to study the methods of pig raisers who continue 

 to supply in large quantities the British market with high class bacon. The Hon- 

 ourable the Minister of Agriculture recommended to Parliament the wisdom of getting 

 for the Canadian farmer information that may be gathered from the methods of those 

 whose industry has outstripped that of Canada under universal conditions of high 

 priced feed. Parliament approved the idea and voted ten thousand dollars to carry 

 out the project. To appoint a suitable commission was the next step and this the 

 Minister did, guided largely by the recommendations of swine raisers in provinces 

 where hog raising is carried on as an important branch of agriculture. 



From the Province of Ontario were chosen W. W. Ballantyne, of Stratford, and 

 Wm. Jones, of Zenda. Mr. Ballantyne, a prominent breeder of dairy cattle and official 

 in connection with the Ontario Winter Fair, and other important public enterprises, 

 is an ecxtensive feeder upon his own farm of swine for the market, and has a deep 

 interest in the several Ballantyne cheese factories, at each of which hundreds of hogs 

 are fattened each year upon whey and purchased grain foods. Mr. Jones, who is the 

 past president of the Dominion Swine Breeders' Association and a director of the 

 Ontario Winter Fair, is a large dairy farmer, and the owner of a herd of Yorkshire 

 swine. He is a recognized expert judge of swine and each year officiates at one or more 

 of the largest fairs in Canada. From the province of Quebec was appointed Mr. 

 Gedeon Garceau, of Three Rivers. Mr. Garceau, a prominent stock breeder and dairy 

 farmer, occupies a foremost position in the live stock association life of the province. 

 He is familiar with the English and French languages, and does much work in judg- 

 ing at exhibitions and lecturing at Farmers' Institute meetings. Mr. Joseph Eye, of 

 Edmonton, Alta., an extensive stock raiser, was named from the west. He is among 

 the most prominent and successful breeders and exhibitors of pure bred swine in his 

 province. Mr. J. E. Sinclair, the representative of the maritime provinces, a dairy 



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