84 



EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



(2.) "When 2 swine were fed half as much of a mixture of grain as other 2 

 swine consumed per day, they consumed in addition, a quantity of skimmilk which 

 made 1 lb. of the mixture of grain equal to 7*76 lbs. of skim-milk, in the feed con- 

 sumed per pound of increase in live weight. 



Summary of comparative value of skim-milk and grain, in feed consumed per pound 



of increase in live weight. 



From tests made in 1892, 1893 and 1894 with 48 swine it appears that when a small 

 quantity (about 3 lbs. per head per day) of skim-milk was fed, a less quantity of it was 

 equal to 1 lb. of the grain in the feed consumed per pound of increase in live weight, 

 than when a large quantity (about 15 lbs. per head per day) was fed. 



The results are shown in the following table : — 



(1.) Skim-milk may form the largest part of the feed of young and growing' 

 pigS with advantage and economy ; 



(2.) For the fattening of swine weighing on the average over 100 lbs. each, live 

 weight, it is economical to give an allowance of skim-milk not exceeding 5 lbs. 

 per head per day ; 



(3.) In every case the swine fed with part of their ration of skim-milk were lustier, 

 more Vigorous and of a more healthy appearance than swine fed wholly on a ration 

 of grain. 



THIRD SERIES. 



To discover the cause of u soft " hogs. 



A series of experiments were begun to discover the effect on the quality of the meat 

 and cured bacon from the feeding of wheat and buckwheat to swine. Complaints were 

 common from buyers of swine in Western Ontario that the quality of flesh was soft in 

 a larger percentage of animals than formerly ; and an opinion was current to the effect 

 that the " softness " was the result of the feeding of wheat or of buckwheat. 



Fourteen SWine of three different litters were sorted into three lots as nearly 

 even as possible. 



Pen No. 2 contained 4 swine of the following breeding : — 



2 Crossbreds by Berkshire sire and Improved Large Yorkshire dam ; 



1 do Tamworth sire and Berkshire dam ; 



1 Pure bred Tamworth. 



These were fed on a mixture of equal parts by measure of barley, rye, wheat 

 (all ground) and wheat bran, soaked in cold water for an average period of 30 hours. 



