1086 



EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



pods were well filled out and some were changing color. As the feeding 

 progressed and the pods dried, the pigs showed a preference for the 

 green ones, eating them first. The test was continued for 40 days with 

 the lots fed peanuts, chufas, and corn. With the lot fed soy beans, it 

 was continued for only 32 days, since the soy beans were eaten sooner 

 than was expected. 



The pigs fed peanuts, soy beans, and chufas gathered the crop on 

 one-third of an acre. Those fed on corn consumed 23 bushels. The 

 average results of the test are shown in the following table: 



Results of ply-feeding experiment. 



Lot 1 (peanuts i . 

 Lot 2 (soy beans 



Lot 3 (corn) 



Lot 4 (chufas) .. 



Num- 

 ber of 

 pigs. 



Weight of 

 lot at be- 

 ginning. 



Weightof Weight of 

 lot at endi lot at end 

 of 32 days, of 46 days. 



Pounds. 

 466 

 499 

 417 

 364 



Pounds. 

 760 

 590 

 646 

 482 



Pounds. 



884 



754 

 562 



Gain of 

 lot in 32 



days. 



Pounds. 



294 



91 

 229 

 118 



( iain per 



pig per 



day in 40 



days. 



Pounds. 



2.2 



2.4 

 1.4 



The estimated quantity of pork produced per quarter acre of peanuts 

 was 313 lbs., chufas 138 lbs., and corn 109 lbs. "With the corn-fed 

 pigs the ratio of gain to corn consumed is quite large, but the thrifty 

 condition of the pigs and their size at the beginning of the test, and 

 the short period of feeding, are doubtless the causes. The peanut fed 

 pigs gained practically as much as the corn-fed pigs and harvested 

 their own food." 



The fat of the pigs fed soy beans and chufas was of about equal 

 firmness, but not quite as firm as that of pigs fed corn. The fat of the 

 pigs fed peanuts was soft and oily. When cooked, no difference could 

 be detected in the flavor of the meat of the pigs in the different lots. 



Feeding acorns, G. W. Carver [Alabama Tuskegee Sta. Bui. 1, j>p. 

 6-0). — The composition of acorns is quoted aud compared with that of 

 corn. The successful feeding of 400 pigs on acorns and kitchen slops is 

 reported. The acorns were also fed to milch cows in place of grain 

 with satisfactory results, 2 qt. or 5 lbs. being fed daily. " While the 

 milk did not materially increase as to quantity, it greatly improved in 

 the amount of butter fat." So far as observed there were no bad effects 

 on the butter. Horses are also said to be fond of acorns, and a state- 

 ment concerning their successful use as a poultry food is quoted. 



"In feediug acorns there is this precaution necessary: Where large ([iiantities are 

 given, plenty of laxative food should he included iu the ration, as they are rather 

 hinding in their nature and likely to produce harmful results. . . . 



"In feeding them to hogs, we find that rather a soft, spongy flesh is produced 

 with an oily-like lard that hardens with great difficulty and frequently not at all. 

 This is readily overcome by feeding corn 2 or 3 weeks before butchering, although 

 many hundred pounds of meat go into market without complaint that have never 

 been topped off with corn." 



