The Brood Sow and Her Litter. 



383 



pounds each, were fed for 119 days on different feeds, and then killed. 

 Eight bones from each pig were removed and broken in a machine es- 

 pecially made for the purpose. The results of this trial are given below : 



The trial was repeated the next year, and in addition to the above 

 data, the specific gravity of the bones were taken, thus showing in a gen- 

 eral way the strength of bone for the same sized cross-section of meas- 

 urement. The result of the second trial, which lasted for 154 days, with 

 pigs that weighed 62 pounds each at the beginning of the trial : 



It is readily seen from the results of these trials that for strength 

 and quality of bone a ration consisting in part of feeds having an 

 abundance of mineral matter or ash, gives by far the best results. It 

 will be noted that the breaking strength of the bone per 100 pounds live- 

 weight was increased 21.8 per cent, by using shorts, 56.9 per cent, hy 

 using skim milk, 78.4 per cent, by using tankage, and 109.5 per cent, by 

 using bone meal. This table does not indicate the effect upon the muscle- 

 development by using the higher protein feeds, but it is a well established 

 fact that the greatest muscle development is secured Avhen a narrow ra- 

 tion is fed. The development of internal organs on high and low pro- 

 tein rations is discussed under the paragraph on ' ' Feeding the Pregnant 

 Sow, ' ' where it was shown that animals fed a mixed feed produced much 

 more growth on internal organs than did a feed of corn alone. Then 

 for the development of pigs, whether for breeding or market purposes,. 

 a feed should be given that will furnish an abundance of bone and muscle- 

 nutriment. In addition to the grain feeds given in the table of compo- 

 sition of feeds, the clovers, alfalfa and other legumes, and bluegrass to- 



