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Co-operative Packing. 



In Ireland, as in Canada, swine raisers are not entirely satisfied with the treatment 

 received from the packers. This is more especially true south of the middle line where 

 pigs are sold alive. Learning of the success of co-operation in bacon curing in Denmark, 

 certain districts in Ireland have sought to apply the same remedy. There is, consequently, 

 in operation at Roscrea, in Tipperary county, an extensive co-operative curing house, and 

 it is hoped before long a similar plant will be running in Wexford at the town of Ennis- 

 corthy. Before the visit of the Commission the Wexford co-operative bacon factory society 

 had been formed, a prospectus issued and much stock subscribed. 



ROSCREA BACON FACTORY. 



First Farmer's Co-operative Bacon Factory in the United Kingdom 



The Roscrea factory has been in operation since early in 1908. It has 4,000 members 

 or patrons living within a radius of 18 miles round Roscrea. Each member must own at 

 least one share of stock, for which he pays one pound, but he may buy as many shares as 

 he likes. Each shareholder is entitled to share in the profits according to the number of 

 pigs he supplies. A statutory rule exists that each member must, under a penalty of $2.40 

 per pig, offer such bacon pigs as he produces, and all of them, to the factory. This ensures 

 a constant supply of the raw material, and also prevents any attempts by outsiders to unduly 

 influence the local markets temporarily, so as to induce pig breeders to send their pigs else- 

 where. On the other hand it is laid down that a bonus will be given to pig suppliers accord- 

 ing to the number of pigs which they produce. The rules are very comprehensive in char- 

 acter, and are subscribed to in a declaration which each shareholder has to sign, and which 

 forms a definite and binding contract. 



The factory is constructed throughout of corrugated iron, which forms the roof and 

 sides, and which is carried on vertical iron columns. The total area covered is approximately 

 136 ft. x 120 ft., and the departments are laid out to suit all requirements of such a plant. 

 The capacity of the bacon factory is 600 pigs per week, and the total cost including the land, 

 was about ,$37,000. 



