n blamed by town residents
and literary men for their alleged want of enterprise in not breeding
and fattening the few extra million pigs which would furnish an amount
of pig produce equal to that imported, and thus, as they declare, save
the country that outlay which is a dead loss to these islands.

It may at once be frankly admitted that a very considerable increase in
the number of our pig population is possible without any very greatly
extended cost of food, but when it is contended that farmers and even
cottagers are grossly neglectful in not producing sufficient pork and
its products for the use of the whole of the population of these
islands, an injustice is done, as the breeding and feeding of pigs is a
business calling, not a philanthropical pursuit. Farmers and cottagers
are like other manufacturers of necessary articles; they produce in
order to live, and they cease to manufacture an article when its
production ceases to repay them for their outlay and trouble. They must
of necessity do so, or they come to grief and are unable to carry on
their farms or businesses.

It matters not what the cause be for the ability of the foreigner to
produce and land on our markets articles cheaper than we can afford to
offer them at, the result is the same--the home production is
automatically reduced. There are many causes which have helped to render
it possible for foreigners to supply us with a certain proportion of the
pork and bacon which we require at a less cost than our home breeder and
feeders of pigs can supply it. These include help to the farmers from
the Governments of certain countries such as Denmark, where assistance
is given in the purchase of pure bred pigs for the improvement of the
native pigs, in the reduced railway and other rates on the transit of
pigs, foods, and bacon, in the provision of certain foods, and in
carrying out experiments in order to show how they may be utilised in
the best manner. Stud farms have also been established from which pure
bred boars are distributed, whilst the whole industry of pig breeding
and bacon curing is carried on under the supervision and with the advice
of many Government officials appointed for the purpose. The intrinsic
value of this assistance is perceptible, as in no other country are
pig-keeping and bacon curing carried on with greater monetary success
than in Denmark.

It is also asserted that the general system of farming in Denmark has
also contributed