17 



t - 



pound of meal. This is a very much higher feeding value for whey, how- 

 ever, than can be expected when it is fed in large quantity. 



Its influence upon the firmness of bacon was very satisfactory; and it 

 appeared to correct the bad influence of lack of exercise. 



Sugar Beets. Hogs seem to prefer sugar beets to almost any other kind 

 of roots. Some difference of opinion exists regarding the amount of roots 

 that may be fed with profit to hogs. They should be fed in limited quantity 

 to small pigs; but pigs weighing over lOO pounds live weight, will, in some 

 cases, take five or six times as much roots as meal, by weight, and make very 

 good gains. We have obtained our best results, however, from feeding equal 

 parts by weight of roots and meal. The proportion of roots may be increased 

 considerably, if thought advisable, as the hogs advance in weight. 



In all our experiments, we have obtained very satisfactory results from 

 root feeding, so far as firmness of bacon is concerned. 



Mangels. Though not quite so high in feeding value, mangels compare 

 very favorably with sugar beets for hog feeding. If the hogs have not been 

 fed sugar beets, they will eat mangels very readily. Their influence upon the 

 firmness of bacon is the same as that of sugar beets. 



Turnips. Hogs are not so fond of turnips as of mangels and sugar beets; 

 but if they do not know the taste of either mangels or sugar beets, they will 

 eat a considerable quantity of turnips. Turnips are made m.ore palatable by 

 cooking, though it is doubtful whether cooking increases their actual feeding 

 value, which is very similar to that of mangels. We have found the feeding of 

 turnips along with a meal ration to give a firmer quality of bacon than when 

 meal is fed alone. 



Potatoes. Cooking is essential in order to get the best results from 

 potatoes. If they can be cooked so as to leave them dry and mealy, hogs will 

 eat them much more readily. They make a very palatable food when mashed 

 and mixed with meal. Their influence upon the quality of bacon is also bene- 

 ficial. 



Artichokes. In some sections, this crop is very popular as a hog food. It 

 is suitable, however, only for somewhat light, sandy soils. Artichokes may be 

 planted in the late fall or early spring, in rows 21 to 24 inches apart, and from 

 12 to 18 inches apart in the rows. They are usually ready to feed about Sep- 

 tember 15th, and the hogs are turned in to dig them for themselves. Frost 

 does not injure them, and usually enough are left in the ground for another 

 crop, if it is thought advisable to leave them. When it is desired to eradicate 

 them, the hogs may be turned on them again in the spring, and the plot subse- 

 quently sown with turnips. 



Artichokes have a little higher feeding value than potatoes, and hogs are 

 very fond of them. 



Feeding Value of Roots. As has already been intimated, much of the 

 feeding value of roots consists in their action upon the general health of the 

 animal. They tend to prevent indigestion and constipation, and to promote 

 general thrift. The results of our experiments, and of those conducted by 

 other experiment stations, indicate that from 6 to 8 pounds of sugar beets, 

 mangels, or turnips, are equivalent in feeding value to one pound of mixed 

 meal; and that 4 to 4V2 pounds of potatoes are equivalent to one pound of 

 mixed meal. The meal equivalent of roots varies considerably, depending 

 upon circumstances; but the figures given will serve as a general guide. 



Rape. This is an exceptionally valuable food for swine, and may be past- 

 ured, or cut and fed to the pigs in pens. For fattening hogs, we have obtained 

 best results from feeding about a two-thirds meal ration, and all the rape the 

 hogs will eat. The hogs were kept in pens with small outside yards, and the 



