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 h : gh 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 men- 

 aced. 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 delega- 

 tions 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 delega- 

 tions. 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 Denmark 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 Win. 

 Jones, of Zenda. Mr. Ballantyne, a prominent breeder of dairy cattle and official in con- 

 nection with the Ontario Winter Fair, and other important public enterprises, is an exten- 

 sive 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 a 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 judging at exhibitions and lecturing at Farmers' Institute meetings. 

 Mr. Joseph Rye, 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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