84 ANNUAL EEPOETS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



have been fattened. The bureau undertook to aid in havmg these 

 hogs utilized as feeders, in cooperation with the Bureau of Markets, 

 the live-stock markets, the various State extension forces, and local 

 oroanizations. 



Two methods were used. Oae was to have a representative visit 

 the various stockyards and make arrangements to have the feeder 

 hogs received, sorted, vaccinated, and disinfected. Then by pub- 

 licity campaigns and correspondence, farmers desiring feeder hogs 

 were informed Avhen shipments of such animals could be expected 

 and Avere invited to come and select their feeders. The other method 

 was for the county ag\2nt to procure lists of farmers having feeder 

 hogs for sale and seud them to the State director of extension. In- 

 quiries for feeder hogs were also sent to the extension office, and 

 purchaser and seller were thus brought together. While definite 

 statistics are not available, it is certain that more than 100,000 

 feeders were shipped into the Corn Belt as a result of this cam- 

 paign. 



FISHERY BY-PKODUCTS AS HOG FEED. 



For several years the Animal Husbandry Division has been co- 

 operatiLig with the Bureau of Fisheries in studying the use of fish 

 meal as a protein feed for sAvine. As a hog feed this material 

 has been found to be equal to high-grade tankage, of which the 

 supply is inadequate. During the year a new product known as 

 shrimp bran was studied. The results of tests with this product as 

 compared with fish meal, the remainder of the ration being shelled 

 corn and middlings, Avere very favorable. 



MEAT CURING. 



The abattoir at the Beltsville farm was extensively used during the 

 year for the study of methods of curing pork, particularly from the 

 standpoint of home consumption on the farm. An exhibit of prod- 

 ucts cured at the Beltsville abattoir Avas made at the National SAvine 

 ShoAV and at the International Live Stock Exhibition. Proceeds of 

 sales of meat from the abattoir amounted to $i,788.47. 



FEEDING GAKBAGE TO HOGS. 



A representatiA^e of the division visited various parts of the coun- 

 try i'.i studying methods of garbage disposal by hog feeding- The 

 results are being prepared for publication. 



SHEEP AND GOAT INVESTIGATIONS. 



FARM-SHEEP INVESTIGATIONS. 



Experimental Avork with farm flocks of sheep is carried on at the 

 Inueau's farms at Beltsville. Md., and Middlebury, Vt. 



At Beltsville a study is being made of siDecialized intensiA'e sheep 

 raising with complete reliance upon forage crops for summer pas- 

 turage. In 1916 a 30-acre area did not produce sufficient forage 

 to feed satisfactorily 44 Southdown eAves and 33 lambs. This field 

 is noAv capable of furnishing sufficient sunnner feed for 100 ewes 

 Avith their lambs. The improvement is due in part to the application 



