THK BACON CURIiNG INDUSTRY. 249 



stipulated number of sows have been served, reserve the use of the boar 

 for the sows of any nldividual or of the members of any Society. Subject 

 to the provisions of Clause 2;^, sows must be served by a premium boar in 

 the order in which they are presented. 



" 20. The Department reserve the right to brand or mark premium boars, 

 and to inspect them from time to time. 



" 21. (i.) Not earHer than ist September, 1902, and not later than 

 ist December, 1902, the owner of each premium boar shall forward to 

 the Secretary of the County Committee a form containing a return of 

 the names, addresses, and valuations of the persons whose sows have 

 been served by the premium boar, at the fee named in Clause 15, together 

 with a statutory declaration, signed before a magistrate, other than the 

 f)wner of the boar, certifying that the said sows have been served, and 

 that all the regulations of this scheme have been complied with. (2.) The 

 Secretary of the County Committee shall examine and check all these 

 documents, and when correct shall forward same to the Department. 

 {3.) As soon thereafter as the Department are satisfied as to the fulfilment 

 <if the conditions of this scheme, their share of the grant payable thereunder 

 will be transmitted to the Treasurer of the County Committee of Agricul- 

 ture and Technical Instruction, and the Secretary shall be notified that 

 •payment may be made to owners of boars by that Committee of the pre- 

 •miums, or part of the premiums, payable under this scheme. (4.) Any 

 premium not applied for on or before the ist December, 1902, shall be 

 considered as having lapsed. 



" Forms tor the declaration required by this clause may be had on 

 application to the Secretary of the County Committee. 



'• 2;;. In the event of a boar being unable, from any cause, to complete 

 the prescribed number of services, the Department reserve the right to 

 withhold the premium, or any part of it, or in any other way to deal 

 specially with the case, according as the circumstances may require. 



" 23. The owner of a premium boar has the right to refuse the use of his 

 boar in any case where he is satisfied that the service would be prejudicial 

 to the animal. The reason for such refusal must, however, be communi- 

 cated to the Department and to the County Committee, immediately on 

 the refusal of the application. 



" 24. The service season for premium boars shall close finally on 30th 

 November. 



"25. Pigs to be eligible for a prize or commendation shall be of such 

 conformation as the judge or judges and the Department's Inspector con- 

 sider suitable for the improvement of swine in Ireland. 



" 26. In all cases of dispute in matters connected with this scheme the 

 decision of the Department shall be final. 



In the North of Ireland no organised effort to improve the breeds of 

 swine was made ; but the farmers there took the matter in their own hands 

 and have succeeded in maintaining a fair standard of quahty in their pigs. 

 With regard to the present condition of the Irish bacon trade generally, it 

 has been found that the Large White Yorkshire is the breed best fitted for 

 the purpose of improving the pigs of the country ; or rather, we should say, 

 the improved Large Yorkshire, the original pig of this type being a coarse 

 animal with heavy jowl and ears, which did not mature until a great weight 

 had been reached, much greater than is needed by modern requirements. 

 The nearest approach to perfection is something between the Large and 

 the Middle York breeds, and this has not alone been produced by some 

 breeders, but has been successfully maintained. The Berkshire, although 



