70 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD, 



$20.95 on the cotton-seed meal ration. The heifers fed the linseed-meal ration/ 

 were in better condition than the others. 



[Pig feeding], G. PI Day (Ann. Rpt. Ontario Agr. Col. and Expt. Farm, S2 

 (1006), pp. 151-158). — From records which have been kept at the station with 

 a considerable number of pigs, the author calculates that the cost of feed from 

 birth to weaning is $3.91 per litter, the average live weight when marketed 176 

 lbs. per pig. the cost of feed per pound of live weight from birth to market 

 condition 4.2 cts., and the average total cost per pcjund, including service fee 

 and maintenance of dry sow, 4.61 cts. 



The data gathered at the station were supplemented by the results of co- 

 operative investigations carried on by 10 farmers according to instructions. As 

 shown by the data for 95 pigs, the average age of weaning was 52 days, the 

 average age at which pigs were marketed 214 days, and the average live weight 

 when marketed 200 lbs. 



The cost of raising pork is calculated on the basis of meal at different values, 

 ranging from $20 to $23 per ton. At the higher value and estimating that the 

 pigs cost $1..50 each at weaning time the average cost of a pound was 4.49 cts., 

 and estimating that the pigs cost $2.50 each at weaning time it was 4.99 cts. 



" That the average cost per pound should be within 5 cts., when meal is valued 

 at $23 per ton, and the pigs at $2.50 each when weaned, is much beyond our 

 expectations. 



" We regard $20 per ton a fair valuation of meal when the grain is home 

 grown, as it includes much that is not marketable. Even when much of the 

 feed has to be bought, we believe that, with a little foresight, the meal bill can 

 be kept well under $22 per ton. If the farmer buys injudiciously, or uses 

 unnecessarily high-priced foods, he should not blame the pigs. 



" These ex])eriments show cheaper average gains than were obtained in our 

 own work, but most of these experiments represent summer feeding, whereas 

 most of our feeding was done during tlie winter." 



Kelative value of shelled corn and corn meal for fattening pigs, W. A. 

 Henry and D. H. Otis {Wisconsin Hta. Bui. l.'io, pp. 16, fig. 1). — Noted from 

 another publication (E. S. R., 18, p. 1074). 



Experiments on the utilization of betain by ruminants (sheep), W. Voltz 

 (Arch. I'ligsiol. [Pftiiger], 116 (1907), Xo. 5-6, pp. 307-333).— From the investi- 

 gations reported the conclusion was drawn that there is not the slightest 

 reason to consider betain a nitrogenous nutrient. On the other hand, it is very 

 probal)le that it causes harm \\hen taken in large doses even in a very soluble 

 form. 



Light and heavy oats for horses, F. W. Taylor (New Hampshire Sta. Bui. 

 129, pp. 2-'iS-251). — The comparative value of light and heavy oats was studied 

 with 3 pairs of work horses of Percheron blood, 1 animal in each lot being fed 

 heavy oats for 30 days and the others the light oats. During an additional 

 period of 30 days the conditions were reversed. In all cases 16 lbs. of oats 

 were fed each day with mixed hay of average quality ad libitum. All the 

 horses performed farm labor requiring average exertion and endurance. 



As shown by weighings taken twice a week, 1 horse lost on both light and 

 heavy oats, 5 gained on heavy oats, and 4 gained on light oats. " The total 

 gain or loss in any case was not material and was not much greater than the 

 variation in weight from one day to another. The practical results of this 

 experiment seem to indicate that, pound for pound, the light oats have nearly 

 the same feeding value as the heavy oats. Although the heavy oats contain a 

 higher percentage of protein, fat, and nitrogen-free extract, and a less per- 

 centage of fiber than the light oats, it seems probable that the relative propor- 

 tions of these constituents in the two grades are such that they are more easily 



