Akizox.\ agricultural Experiment St.vtiox 



467 



of the feed as they became more mature. Table X\T gives the 

 average gain of the ])igs according to four-week periods. 



T.M'.Lli XVI. — GAIXS OF PIGS .\CCORDING TO FOUR WLKK PERIODS 



In every case the pigs in Lot 1 gained more slowly than those 

 of similar breeding and individuality which were given the same 

 food but allowed alfalfa pasture. It was only in the third period 

 that the pigs in Lot 1 gained as much as one pound per head daily, 

 but the animals in Lot 2 gained over one pound a day. except dur- 

 ing the first four weeks. The animals receiving alfalfa gained 60 

 pounds more than those not allowed this food. 



The animals in Lot 1 were distinctly unfinished in appearance, 

 and much inferior to those receiving alfalfa pasture as judged from 

 market and breeding standpoints. They averaged 12 pounds less, 

 in weight and there was a greater difi'erence in attractiveness and in 

 finisli than the weight would indicate. 



An average of 485 pounds of pigs were maintained oti about, 

 one-eighth acre of alfalfa pasture. This is fully 2,000 pounds of pigs 

 per acre at the outset and 5,600 at the close of the experiment. An 

 acre of good alfalfa pasture will carry at least twenty hogs averag- 

 ing 100, or 10 averaging 200 pounds. From this small plot of 

 alfalfa and 80.5 pounds more rolled barley and 108 ]:»ounds more 

 skim milk the hogs made 60 pounds more gain in twelve weeks 

 than those in the dry lot. At 15 cents a pound the increased weight on 

 the hogs would mean a yield of $9.00 for the pasture and the addi- 

 tional feed for the pericxl. Deducting $2.95 for the value of the 

 additional rolled barley and skim milk, this would mean $6 05 for 

 one-eighth acre of pasture or $48.40 for one acre in three months. 

 This places a high feeding value on the alfalfa pasture. After the 

 close of the experiment the animals in the two lots were placed 

 together and those that had l)een allowed alfalfa jiasture made 

 more rapid gains and appeared to be more vigorous than those on 

 the drv lot. 



