HINTS IN PIG FARMING.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 3002, 14 December 1896, Page 4

HINTS IN PIG FARMING.

The importance of the hanl and bacon industry in tins COlony lias Won long fully febdgnisoa by farmers in the South Island, but, although also recognised by North Island pig-growers, it is a noticeable fact that the pigs grown in the North Island are'inferior to those brought up from the South. On this account local bacon-ourers are compelled to purchase a great number iof pigs from southern markets. They-, hoWeVer, say they feel convinced that if breeders and feeders here would pay more attention to the class of pigs they fatten for bacoaers they could successfully Compete with those in the South. Messrs W. Dlmock and Co.', our local bacon cilrera, fopott that they have given the matfcet* theft earliest consideration and •have obtained tHe advice of some of the largest ]sig breeders in the Colony, who are unanimous, in recommending purebred Berkshire .Ijoars and thrto-quarter bred so.ws, as; *be-, ( best paying class, the purebred Yorkshire sows often getting too fat and not breeding or milking so well »as the cross-breds. In their estimation this is better than a cross betwdfcn Yorkshires and Berkshiros as, although the cross makes good bacon pigs, they require more shelter. They consider pigs should be well fat and ready for killing at from six to bon months old.

Speaking of South Island pigs, Mr Dimock remarked that Umy fattened much younger than North Jutland ones, while their waste was one-third less, their market value being thus increased. During the last two months of the fattening process the firm reCoidniends that the pi&? should 1 be kept in sties, and.nOt alipdrqd Jfco run about too much, and that they should always have sufficient food given them to have a little loft in the trough when the animals have satisfied thbirappetites. They should be hardened off on peas Or Cape barley, the latter being grown easily on any soil. . With regard to the way in which the animals are sent to market, much has yet to be learnt by the North Island grower. When the pigs are killed tho bladders should be wrapped Up and tied to the hind logs, the plucks should be cut oUt-level with the root of the tongue tho forelegs must, bo pulled'back while ■ the animal is hot into a position level with tho rest of tho body and a double string passed round above the ears to keep them in position. A a to the price, we-were informed that the beat price is always obtainable for pigs of from 1001 b to 1501 b, and for maiden sows or barrows the preferable Weight is about 1301 b.