ON AGRICULTURE TO DENMARK 



101 



quality of pigs is defective, and instruct them in the breeding and 

 feeding of a better cUiss of animals. Of paramount importance is 

 the fact that no skim milk is allowed by law to leave the cream- 

 eries without being pasteurised, and it is believed that this practice 

 has almost eliminated tuberculosis from swine. 



Before a factory is started it is necessary to make sure of a 

 supply of pigs to be regularly delivered, and to obtain security for 

 a sufficient loan to provide buildings, plant, and working capital. 



Farmers who fail to supply the number of pigs they guarantee 

 are liable, according to the signed conditions of co-operation, to a 

 line of lis. 3d. per head on the deficiency ; but this fine has seldom 

 or never been incurred or imposed. 



In providing the whole capital no money is actually raised from 

 the farmers, but is obtained by loan on their personal security from 

 banks and various other sources ; the forms of guarantee bear that 

 the signatories sign as securities, "Each for all. and all for each." 

 At the beginning some difficulty was experienced in getting farmers 

 to sign such a deed ; but since the benefits of co-operative action 

 have become known farmers are not only willing but anxious to 

 share in all the responsibilities. 



Only one factory, we believe, has been unsuccessful, and that 

 was due entirely to the want of a sufficient supply of pigs. 



A model factory erected in a district in Denmark, to deal with 

 MH) swine a week, costs for buildings about £1230 sterling, for 

 machinery about £1500, and site £170, or about £3000 sterling 

 in all. 



In Scotland there are in various likely districts idle mill build- 

 ings which could easily be converted into bacon factories, thereby 

 enabling a saving on initial cost. 



Comparing the conditions of marketing : — 



In Denmark. 



Pigs go direct from farm to 

 bacon factory. 



Carriage to factory only. 



No loss in Denmark. 



In Scotland. 



Pigs go to an auction sale, either 



in farmer's possession, or in some 



dealer's, who has bought from 



him. 

 Auctioneer's commission at 6d. per 



£ ; on a 70s. pig= Is. 9d. 

 Dealer's profit. 



Expense of carriage to auction. 

 Expense of farmer attending auction, 



and wasting some hours till his 



turn for side. 

 Expense of carriage — possibly to a 



second auction — before a slaugh- 



tery. 

 Loss of 25 to 50 per cent, if a pig 



shows sore in the feet at an 



auction. 



