Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-05-26
Bacon the English Want

Lorin A. Lathrop. United States
consul at Bristol. England. in report
Just published by the United States
government, says:
The United States, Denmark and
Canada supply Great Britain with Its
imported bacon. These countries con-
tribute among them the large amount
Of over 100000 hundred weight (112
pounds) OF the approximate value Of
| $40,000,000. The United States retain
each year more than half Of this large
trade. contributing in 1896, 2,751,51S
hundred weight, Denmark supplying
100000 hundred weight, and Canada
100000 hundred weight. During the
first six months of 1897 the United
States shipments made large proper
tionate increase, but a temporary
scarcity of hogs in England, Denmark
and Canada will largely account for
this.
At the present moment when the
finest grades Of English bacon are SELL
ing at from Is to II cents per pound
| (wholesale) and Canadian or Danish
at about II to IA cents, United States
bacon is selling at from 61a cents to 5
cents per pound. These differences in
price are constant. Our highest
prices do not even touch the lowest
prices for Canadian and Danish; they
are one-half the English price. In
other words we are not getting by
nearly half what we might get for this
great product of the west. The rea-
sons for this are worth considering.
It may pay to stop and consider why
year after year we are content 10 re-
main at the bottom of the market.
The difference of course is due to the
difference in quality and in suitability
to the, taste of the market. Canada
and Denmark have made most care
| full study of the demands of the Eng
| lish market, and have gone deliberate
ly to work to meet the demand, with
d success thoroughly deserved. We, on
the other hand, have disregarded en-
| tirely the taste of the consumer, and
we find deprecated values our de-
| served punishment.
I am quite aware of the argument
OF the packer. He says in substance
that Canada and Denmark have vital
dependence on England's patronage;
that they must make specially for that
market; but that he makes for 4 do
nestle market, which in the south and
northwest depends largely upon fat
bacon and is entirely uncritical as to
quality; that he cannot obtain in local
markets more money for one class OF
bacon than for another, and that he is
satisfied with his domestic market
what he sends abroad being the over
plus that he cannot get rid Of at home.
He will dwell further upon the impos-
sibiIity of getting constant and reg
ular supply Of the proper hogs. The
hog, he will say, is fed on corn, ard
you cannot get the farmers TO do
otherwise. Now, this may be true for
the large packer. 1t may be better
for him to turn out large quantities OF
inferior quality. am not appealing
to him. 1 am appealing to the man
that can see a profit in selling his
bacon in England at ~ cents a pound
Gas many Canadians have done) while
his fellow countrymen are satisfied
| with 8 cents.
He would have to begin at the be-
ginning; that is to say, he must
change the type of hog. He would find
| the importing Of some Tamworths the
best way to do this. Some boars Of
this lean and sweet fleshed breed,
would rapidly effect change in the
hogs in a district, and the new type
could be fixed by care in feeding, the
main thing being not to feed on. corn.
No corn-fed hog will make bacon sat
isfactory to the English consumer.
Firm flesh and firm fat in limited
quantity can not be obtained from
corn. Once the desired type Is OBJ
tanned, the curing is an easy matter.
The singed side would probably be
found to be the most satisfactory cut
for the market. A packer that will
take the trouble to thus study the
English market. and will patiently
and carefully strive to meet its re-
ouirements, will find that his brand is
speedily established and that dealers
will be eager for his wares at re-
munerative prices.