446 i:XPERIMEXTAL FARMS 



5 GEORGE v.. A. 1915 

 DEDUCTIONS FROM EXPERISIEN'T. 



Xo definite deductions could be drawn from a one-year experiment, and especi- 

 ally where so few individuals were included. However, many interesting facts may 

 be noted in the above tables, which might be summarized as follows : — 



1. The tankage-fed sows (pen II) did not consume as much meal as pen I, where 

 no tankage was fed. By comparing the weights of the two pens of sows throughout 

 the experiment it will be noticed that all sows were practically of the same weight at 

 each stage of the experiment, and that the proportionate loss of weight per sow in the 

 advanced stage of lactation was practically uniform in each case. 



2. The natural deduction from such comparative figures would be that any varia- 

 tion in the increasing weight of the litters would be due to the milk-producing pro- 

 perties of the meals consumed by the sows during nursing period. 



3. Undoubtedly the mortality in all litters was much higher than should be. This, 

 however, was due, in all cases except sow No. 1 of pen No. 1, to the carelessness on 

 the part of the sow several days after the pigs were farro we'd. Undoubtedly the aver- 

 age pig from the tankage-fed sows was more rugged than the average pig from the 

 sows which received no tankage. By a comparison of the weights of litters at farrow- 

 ing, at four weeks of age, and at eight weeks of age it will be noticed that the average 

 pig in pen I weighed 2-44 pounds at birth, 11-4 pounds at four weeks of age, and 19-7 

 pounds at eight weeks of age, while the average pig in pen II weighed 2-42 pounds at 

 birth, Voi> pounds four weeks after farrowing, and 25-3 i^ounds eight weeks after 

 farrowing. • 



4. From the above figures it will be noted that there was practically no differ- 

 ence in the average pigs at birth, which is somewhat contrary to the .results of 

 experiments reported from various experiment stations throughout America. How- 

 ever, the more rapid increase in weight of the small pigs during the nursing period 

 would warrant a continuation of this experiment, and a more complete study from 

 this and other viewpoints. 



5. It will be noticed that the cost of feeding pen I amounted to $10.89 per sow 

 for the 17G days on experiment, while the cost of feeding pen II amounted to $14.07 

 per sow for the 163 days on experiment. Although the tankage is, when fed in these 

 proportions, expensive for the feeding of brood sows, yet in the above instance the 

 difference in cost, was more than counterbalanced by the greater ruggedness of litters, 

 lower percentage of mortality, and the increased weight of litters at eight weeks of 

 age. This, however, is but the result of one experiment. 



A repetition of this experiment, together with the several lines of experimental 

 work in the use of tankage and other meals in the feeding of young pigs, is already 

 under way and more complete data along the , lines of this foodstuff will be available 

 for publication in the near future. 



Readers are particularly referred to the report of the Dominion Chemist, Mr. F. 

 T. Shutt, in which may be found the chemical analyses of the foodstuffs under experi- 

 ment . 



Ottawa. 



