ggg EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



a knowledge of existing cimditions and faets regarding breeding, and wonld lie 

 greatly facilitated by tbe proper formation of breeders' associations. 



Cull beans as a food for swine, R. S. Shaw and A. C. Anderson (Michigan 

 8ta. Bid 2.'i3. pi>. 11-81). — The use of cooked cull beans as a feed for young 

 and growing pigs and for fattening purposes was studied. 



When 4 lots of 4 or 5 pigs each, weighing on an average not far from 5(t 

 lbs., were fed beans with corn meal 3 : 4 for 10 weeks the average gain ranged 

 from 0.797 lb. to 1.04 lbs. per head per day, and the cost of a pound of gain from 

 2.G3 cts. to 2.05 cts. 



In this and subsequent tests the beans were cooked either in a cauldron by 

 boiling or in a barrel into which live steam was passed. The beans were fed 

 warm, other feed when used being mixed with them after cooking. Sufficient 

 salt was added to make the ration palatable. 



As the above-mentioned ration was, in the author's opinion, not well suited 

 to the pigs some middlings were substituted for part of the beans in a test 

 made with 2 lots of 5 pigs, each weighing on an average 73 lbs., the mixtiu'e 

 selected being beans, corn meal, and middlings 2:3: 2. The average daily gain 

 in the 10 weeks of the trial was 1.34 lbs. per head, and the cost of a pound of 

 gain 3.1 cts. 



The average daily gain on sour skim milk and cdru meal 5:1, in a control 

 test made with 2 similar lots, was 1.34 lbs., and the cost of a pound of gain 

 3.7 cts. 



Five lots of 4 and 1 lot of 6 animals, weighing about 150 lbs. each at the 

 beginning of the trial were used to test the value of cull beans for fattening 

 pigs, and the results reported are for a period of 8 weeks. Three of the lots 

 were given cooked beans only, and the average gain was 1.1 lbs. per head per 

 day, 4.21 lbs. of beans being consumed per pound of gain, of which the cost 

 was 2.53 cts. In the case of the 3 similar lots on beans and corn meal 1 : 1 the 

 average daily gain was 1.52 lbs., the cost of feed per pound of gain being 

 3.25 cts., 2.03 lbs. of beans and an equal quantity of corn meal being required 

 per iiound of gain. 



" It would appear that hogs of the weights and ages of those fed in this experi- 

 ment could reasonably be expected to make a gain of about a pound per day on 

 a ration consisting of beans only, and that the same sort of hog could reasonably 

 be expected to make a gain of about 1.5 lbs. per day if an equal amount of corn 

 were supplied with the bean ration. Further, it would appear that the gains 

 made by the bean-fed hogs would cost about .$2.50 per 100 lbs. and those made 

 by the beans and corn fed hogs would cost about .$3.50 pi'r hundredweight," 

 rating corn meal and beans at what were considered fair prices. 



When judged by experts as to quality, the pigs fed a ration containing corn 

 meal were rated at a higher value per pound than those fed the beans only. 



According to the authors, " beans can be fed to swine only in the cooked form. 

 The pig seems to be unable to utilize beans which are at all hard or firm, even 

 though they have been boiled for some time, hence it is vei'y essential that they 

 should be thoroughly cooked. To supi)ly a single feed of half-cooked beans to 

 a pen of hogs robs them of their appetites and relish for their food, if indeed 

 it does not put them off feed." Sufficient water should be used in cooking to 

 supply the amounts needed by the pigs, but the feed should not be excessively 

 sloppy. 



"All refuse grains contain more or less foreign material. Cull beans are no 

 exception to the general rule, perhaps the most ob.iectionable ingredient being 

 the gravel stones. ... By the use of a hand fanning mill adapted for bean 

 cleaning, a considerable portion of the stones may be eliminated." 



" In winter feeding it will be advisable to supply the feed while warm," but 



