34 



also secured and recorded. It is shown that in 1906-07 236 boars sent out were bred to 

 17,124 sows, and that 82 per cent of the boars did well; 94 per cent of the offsprings are 

 described as exceedingly good. It will be seen that no pains are spared to improve the 

 native breed in every possible way. So much attention to the Yorkshire breed is not con- 

 sidered necessary as this sort is looked upon as having been brought to a high degree of 

 perfection in England. Boars of this kind are sent out chiefly for crossing on the native 

 sows, and in almost every case the results are satisfactory. 



Swine Breeding Societies. 



Swine breeding centres are owned and operated by individual farmers. In addition to 

 these there are societies formed here and there in Denmark for the object of helping the 

 cause of swine breeding. Of these there were in 1907 207 associations, each receiving a 

 small government grant. These societies kept 282 boars for service, of which 154 were 

 Yorkshire and 128 native. Each society has about 25 members, each owning an average 

 of about two breeding sows. These societies get the boars from the breeding centres. By 

 this agency individual farmers are relieved of the necessity of keeping stock boars. He much 

 prefers to become a member of a pig breeding society, and for a less premium than he would 

 otherwise pay he obtains the services of a selected boar, and has the additional advantage of 

 expert advice as to the most suitable mating. 



Information concerning the work of these societies is collected. It is shown that 845 

 litters from native selected boars contained 8,785 pigs, of which 7,322 were weaned. 307 

 litters from Yorkshire boars contained 3,441 pigs, and of these 2,852 were weaned. 



Reports concerning a large number of the offspring of Landrace and Yorkshire boars 

 delivered at packing houses show them to have classed respectively as follows : 



Landrace. Yorkshire. 



27.9 per cent class 1, 38.3 per cent class 1 ; 



32.7 " " 2, 24.5 " " 2. 



39.3 " " 3, 37.2 " " 3. 



0.1 " " 4. 



It will be seen from all this that in Denmark nothing is too much trouble that would 

 tend to improve the pigs, both from the standpoint of breeding quality and that of suitabi- 

 lity for the British market. The Department is constantly alive to the question of improve- 

 ment, and having the very general co-operation of the farmers throughout the country, rapid 

 advancement is made. Following is a copy of the regulations governing the co-operative 

 management of swine associations and swine breeding centres: 



(1.) The object of the co-operative management is to promote swine breeding, swine 

 breeding societies, etc. 



(2.) The owners of the recognized breeding centres who are guided by the laws and 

 regulations of the co-operative agricultural societies may, by writing to the president, become 

 members of the co-operative management. Each society is represented by a member. 



There is no annual stated subscription; possible expenses are levied upon the members 

 according to the number of sows raised. 



(3.) The management consists of, members elected at the annual meeting, from whom 

 the president is elected. 



(4.) The executive committee meets as often as the president thinks necessary, or upon 

 request of three members. Resolutions are carried by a majority but are not legal unless 

 three members are present at least. 



(5.) In October, November, December or January of each year a meeting is called at 

 which the United Swine Breeding Societies are invited. At the meetings reports of the 

 business of the past year are read. Plans of campaign for the coming year are discussed 

 and elections of representatives made. Any question brought up by a member must first 

 reach the president in writing. 



