498 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



the 2 lots was nut regarded as sufficiently marked to affect their relative money 

 values. 



Calf-feeding experiments with skim milk, V. Jqnson ( Nord. Mejeri Tidn., 19 

 (1904), A r o. 16, /</>. 208, 209). — The results of an experiment with s calves here 

 reported indicate that calves will give better returns for skim milk than pigs do.— 

 F. W. WOLL. 



Breeding and feeding pigs, I). II. Otis (Kansas Sla. Bui. I24,pp. 31-57, pis. 33). — 

 A number of points regarding feeding, breeding, etc., were, studied with the station 

 herd. Ten pigs on rape pasture (1 acre) made an average daily gain of 1.09 lbs. for 

 98 days, consuming 3.01 lbs. of ^rain per pound of gain. With a similar lot on 

 alfalfa pasture (0.5 acre) the corresponding values were 1.10 lbs. and 3 lbs., and with 

 a lot fed grain without pasturage 1.04 lbs. and 3.71 lbs. "The pasture is not only 

 economical from the standpoint of gains, but it furnishes succulence and variety and 

 keeps the hogs in a healthier condition." 



When alfalfa hay was fed with grain to a lot of 12 pigs for 50 days the average 

 daily gain was 1.2 lbs. per head and the grain eaten per pound of <rain 4.05 lbs. In 

 the case of a similar lot fed grain without hay the gain was 1.18 lbs. and the grain 

 eaten per pound of gain 5.29 lbs. 



Skim milk and buttermilk were compared with 3 lots of 6 pigs each fed respec- 

 tively grain, grain with alfalfa pasturage, and grain with rape pasturage. With 

 skim milk the average daily gain in the 77 days of the test was 1.12 lbs. and with 

 buttermilk 1.06 lbs., the grain eaten per pound of gain being 3.11 lbs. and 3.31 lbs. 



The influence of liberal feeding on runt pigs was tested with 4 animals. They 

 were placed on rape pasture and fed a mixture of equal parts of corn, Kafir corn, 

 and shorts, to which some dried blood and soy beans were added. In addition some 

 grain was picked up behind steers. In the 278 days of the test the average daily gain 

 was 0.94 lb., and the grain eaten per pound of gain 3.3 lbs. The author points out 

 that the ration fed, together with good care, produced excellent results. 



The gains made and the grain eaten by pure-bred and crossbred pigs were 

 recorded, the best gains being made on an average at the lowest cost by the cross- 

 bred pigs, but as pointed out by the author it was not possible to include pigs of the 

 same weight in all the lots. Some of the station's pure-bred and crossbred pigs 

 were slaughtered and judged, but definite conclusions regarding breeds were not 

 reached. 



' ' Comparing the fat, medium, and lean hogs, there was found to be a great difference 

 in the leaf lard. The sides from the lean hog were said ... to make better bacon 

 than the sides from the fat hog. The fat hog was considered to be more profitable 

 from the butcher's standpoint, likewise from the breeder's standpoint, because they 

 dressed a higher per cent. The medium hog was considered the best for bacon, but 

 not as good as the lean hog for ham. From the butcher's standpoint the lean hog 

 was the most unprofitable. The color of the meat was practically the same in the 

 fat and medium hogs." 



Observations are also recorded regarding the effect of size of litter on the gains 

 made and upon the feed consumed by the dam, the effect of the age of dam on the 

 size of litters, and the effect of following steers on the size of litters. The station 

 dipping vat and farrowing houses are described. 



Experiments in pig feeding, H. T. French (Idaho Sta. Bid. 4%, PP- 305-318, pis. 

 9, Jig. 1). — Several problems connected with pig feeding have been recently studied 

 at the station. Using 2 lots, each made up of 3 Poland-China and 1 Tarn worth-Poland- 

 China, wet and dry feeds were compared for a period covering 119 days, the ration 

 for about a month consisting of ground wheat and later of shorts and ground barley 

 1:2. The pigs fed the soaked grain made a total gain of 303 lbs., the grain eaten per 

 pound of gain averaging 4.85 lbs. Those fed the dry grain gained 339.5 lbs., the 

 grain required per pound of gain being 4.33 lbs. The author calls attention to the 



