384 



Pork Prodiiction 



Weight os a factor in supply. 



The variations in the average weight of hogs by months 

 throughout the year for the twelve-year period from 1905 

 to 1916 inclusive are seen in Fig. 14. From January to 

 August the weight quite regularly increases, and from 

 August to November there is a rapid decline in weight. 

 During November and December the weights are light 

 because the receipts are largely made up of spring pigs, 



Fig. 14. — Average monthly variations in the weight of hogs on the 

 Chicago market from 1905 to 1916. 



many of which are not finished. From January on the 

 weight increases as the age of the pigs marketed increases. 

 June weights, on the average, are no heavier than May 

 weights, probably because of a large proportion of fall 

 pigs. The extra heavy weights during the late summer 

 and early fall are largely due to the marketing of old sows 

 and stags and well-finished fall pigs. The rapid decline 

 in weight during the fall is largely to be explained by the 



