676 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



In a series of experiments to test the cost of growing pigs on alfalfa pasture 

 and grain, part of wliicb has already been reported (E, S. R., 19, p. 26G), 1G9 

 pigs in 5 lots, weighing from 57 to 71 lbs. each, were fed from 63 to 112 days. 

 The grain rations consisted of various mixtures of corn, barley, and wheat, and 

 corn alone. The pigs made an average daily gain per head of 0.8 lb., and it 

 required 308 lbs. of grain, at a cost of $2.80, per 100 lbs. of gain. Charging 

 pasture at from 0.3 to 0.4 ct. per head daily, the average cost per 100 lbs. gain 

 for the 5 lots was $3.25. 



In another test 108 pigs, averaging 65.4 lbs. each, were fed in 6 lots as above, 

 except that rye was used in some of the grain mixtures. They made an average 

 daily gain per head of 0.67 lb. and required 370 lbs. of gi'ain, at a cost of $3.25, 

 per 100 lbs. gain. Including pasture, the total cost per 100 lbs. gain in this 

 test was $3.73. 



In a test in which 113 50-lb. pigs were pastured on alfalfa and fed a full 

 ration of soaked corn the daily gain per head was 0.72 lb. It required 270 lbs. 

 grain, at a cost of $2.27, per 100 lbs. gain, and including pasture, the cost per 

 100 lbs. gain was $2.48. In a similar test with 97 pigs the gain was 0.51 lb., 

 and it required 303.4 lbs. grain, at a cost of $2.55, or including pasture $2.92, 

 per 100 lbs. gain. 



The 210 pigs last mentioned were subsequently divided into 6 lots and were 

 fed corn on alfalfa pasture, except 1 lot, which was fed mixed grain and tank- 

 age. The average daily gains per head averaged from 0.9 to 0.98 lb., at a cost, 

 including pasturage, of from $2.54 to $4.96 per 100 lbs, gain. "A summary of 

 these 5 years, where 792 pigs were fed various amounts of corn and other 

 grains, indicates that the average cost of the grain and pasture for 100 lbs. of 

 gain was $3.30." 



The author states that in these exiieriments wheat and barley always in- 

 creased the cost. In iiguring the above cost data the following prices were used : 

 Hogs 5.9 cts. per pound; corn 47 cts., wheat 70 cts., barley 40 cts., rye 56 cts. 

 per bushel; oil meal $30, tankage $40, alfalfa meal $15, chopped alfalfa $10, 

 and alfalfa hay $8 per ton. 



On the use of dried yeast and dried potatoes for feeding horses, Voltz 

 (Ztschr. SpMticsindus., 33 (1910), Nos. 47, pp. 579, 580; J,8, pp. 588, 589; 49, 

 pp. 600, 601; ahs. in ZentU. Agr. Chem,., 40 (1911), No. 6, pp. 413-^'tl6).— 

 Experiments showed that rations for horses could be cheapened by substitut- 

 ing dried yeast and dried potatoes for about one-half of the grain ration. 

 Feeding experiments with swine and white rats, and metabolism experiments 

 with rats and sheep are also reported. 



Draft dog's, G. Lavrielle {Bui. Mens. 8oc. Cent. Agr., Hort. et Acclim. 

 Nice, 50 {1910), No. 10, pp. 354-359; abs. in Internat. Inst. Agr. [Rome\, Bui. 

 Bur. Agr. Intel, and Plant Diseases, 1910, No. 2, p. 318). — ^A historical and sta- 

 tistical account of the dog as a draft animal. At the present time about 1.50,000 

 are used for that purpose in Belgium, 10,000 of which are in Brussels and its 

 suburbs. The value of the labor of the dogs iier head and day is estimated at 

 50 centimes (10 cents). An average mastiff can draw a load of from 100 to 150 

 kg. for a distance of 12 kilometers in an hour without fatigue. 



Protein concentrates for winter chickens, B. L. Hartwell and W. F. Kiek- 

 PATEiCK {Rhode Island Sta. Bui. 145, pp. 3~40). — This bulletin reports experi- 

 ments supplementary to those previously reported (E. S. R., 20, p. 470). 



To compare the effect of certain concentrates when fed to winter-hatched 

 chicks, 7 lots, each of 35 White Wyandottes 2 weeks old, were fed a basal ration 

 consisting of corn meal, cracked corn, mixed feed, and alfalfa, supplemented 

 with linseed meal, gluten feed, granulated milk, or animal meal, sufficient in 

 each case to supply an equal amount of protein. Two lots each were fed the 



