THE PIG INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 11 December 1907, Page 3

THE PIG INDUSTRY.

NEW AND CONVENIENT YARDS. d n The mere mention of pig-styes and r pig-yards was in the old days quite g enough to conjure up thoughts of strong t. and offensive smells. And to have sugi- gested the erection of pig-pens within r a few yards of the principal street of 1 New Plymouth would have brought howls of derision and chorus of coml plaint. But time works wonders in pig- ■ yards as in other things. No ona has . had any hint through their olfactory ; organs that pig-yards are in use at the . rear of Messrs. Webster's mart almost • in the centre of the town. And little . wonder. A News reporter had a look it them on Saturday afternoon just at the conclusion of the newly-instituted weekly pig sale. The yards had just been washed down, and the concrete floors were as clean as could he wished. The yards themselves are well designed and capable of carrying about sixty pigs. There is a loading-stage, with an ingenious arrangement of wing gates to ensure the pigs going straight into the race. The gates from the race to the pens are so arranged that by opening, -ay the gate of No. 5 pen, the race is .

Locked and the animal has no option but to walk into that enclosure. As before mentioned, the floors arc of concrete, and slope away to a trap connected with the sewage system of the borough. Messrs. Webster Bros, intend to erect an awning over the pens in readiness for next Saturday's sale The modern method of construction is invaluable, not only in preventing smells mi hot weather, but in keeping the animals clean and comfortable instead of wallowing m slush during the rainy season. Having erected such up-to-date and convenient yards, Messrs. Webster Bros may fa-riy expect to handle a good number of farmers' pigs at their regular sales. B