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Co-operation is, however, the best solution as indicated in Ireland and Denmark. The 

 members of the co-operative bacon factory at Roscrea are satisfied with their lot as pig raisers 

 looking for full returns from their hogs. Between them and the market there is nothing 

 to obstruct the vision and there is no one to blame but themselves if the prices received 

 are not those quoted for the highest class. 



In Denmark the industry has grown rapidly and substantially and is thriving as a 

 well watered tree in good soil and all on the principle of co-operation. Co-operation in 

 Denmark had its origin in dissatisfaction with the packer and on its own success it con- 

 tinues to bring prosperity to the pig raiser and contentment to the farmer. 



Co-operation in Canada can it succeed? Some say 'no, it has been tried and failed.' 

 was it not a poor kind of co-operation that failed ? The intention of organizers was of the 

 best, much hard work was done, farmers put in a lot of money and well equipped factories 

 were put in operation; business connections that promised well in the Old Country were 

 made and co-operation in the bacon industry was launched, but it did not last. Where was 

 the weak point? It was not in the hogs for there were plenty and of good bacon type; it 

 was not in the factories for these have proved their own success in the hands of proprietary 

 firms ; it could not have been the market for this has never ceased to grow for the Danes and 

 others who send on the good bacon in regular quantities. Was the system of co-operation de- 

 fective ? It would seem so, at least for the disloyal members who soon commenced to bite 

 at the dangerous bait of rival houses who received every encouragement to cast their bread 

 upon the waters, to be gathered in larger loaves in the not too distant and very certain future. 

 No, co-operation did not prove a success in the pig business nor could such a brand of it 

 have succeeded in any business in which it might be tried. It would have as surely failed 

 in Denmark with such poor staying material. The early organizers in that country saw 

 the rocks ahead and added a penalty clause to the rules. It required only a little patience 

 and honour to teach the Dane that co-operation was the correct method and since then it has 

 proved not only to the Danish but to the Canadian farmer as well, that wisely conducted 

 co-operation is a sound principle. 



The failure of co-operative bacon curing in Canada, has valuable lessons. The success 

 of the system in Denmark and in Ireland, has still more valuable lessons. With the in- 

 struction that these impart there should be no need of failure in every attempt at co-operative 

 bacon raising, curing and selling, in districts of a country so well adapted as Canada for the 

 raising of swine. A successful co-operative society requires a strong leader and a faithful 

 membership. Unless a community is made up of such a class, who will bind themselves 

 for a term of years to supply all their marketable hogs to their own factory and stand firmly 

 and loyally by the interests of their organization, it need not hope to make co-operative 

 curing a success. Given such men, with a desire to follow pig raising as an important branch 

 of their agriculture, a co-operative association will work in Canada as it does in Denmark. 

 The initiative must, however, come from the pig raisers and be carried through as a remedy 

 to a grievous situation. Having come into contact with a large class of farmers who are 

 growing rich through co-operative bacon raising the Commission confidently recommends 

 it to the pig raisers of Canada who will do their duty towards it. 



Suggested Remedies. 



Realizing the conditions which called for the appointment of the Commission and 

 having studied the methods of successful pig raisers in other countries, the Commission 

 submits the following alternative remedies for what appears to be the chief barriers to a 

 prosperous swine rearing industry. 



1. The adoption, on the part of the packers, of an attitude of sympathetic co-operation 

 between themselves and the producers whereby every possible encouragement would be 

 given farmers to increase the quantity and improve the quality of their hogs. This would 

 involve a constant, earnest desire and readiness to afford every facility on their part in co- 

 operation with the producers, to investigate and solve problems which may give rise to 



