DAIRY PRODUCE, ETC, 101 



this. In Great Britain as elsewhere pigs are more 

 liable to disease than any domestic animal. 

 A cause of the constantly recurring over-produc- 

 tion is the much quicker rate of natural increase 

 in swine than with cattle and sheep. When 

 feeding-stuffs are obtainable at prices which 

 enable bacon to be produced at a profit increased 

 pig-breeding results. On the other hand, a rise in 

 feeding-stuffs unaccompanied by a corresponding 

 rise in bacon instantly checks production. 



Bacon and ham, like butter, must be prepared 

 for market on a large scale. Uniform quality 

 implies grading and uniform treatment in curing. 

 Though " home cured " may be better, bulk 

 supply can only be produced by a bacon 

 factory. 



The recent substantial increase in the price of 

 butter is partly due to the drought experienced in 

 Europe in 191 1. The diminished supplies from 

 Europe in that year were made up by increased 

 receipts from Australia, the total imports from 

 all sources falling off by only some 20,000 cwt. 

 compared to 1910. Imports from Europe in 1912 

 recovered to the total received in 1910, but 

 chiefly owing to the considerably diminished 

 receipts from Australia the returns show a falling 

 off of approximately 300,000 cwt. as compared to 

 191 1. For the current year up to the end of 

 April there is a falling off of 60,000 cwt. It 



