ANIMAL l'RoDl'CTlON. 4 ( .>V) 



fact that somewhat better gains were made on the dry ground grain, although in the 



majority of tests reported in this country a slighl advantage has been noted with the 

 soaked grain, especially when the grain was fed whole. 



Using the same pigs as in the preceding test, the relative value of pure-bred and 

 crossbred pigs was studied, the ration consisting of headed wheat fed ad libitum. 

 In the 77 days of the test the average daily gain of the pure-bred pigs was 0.7 lb. and 

 of the crossbred pigs 0.55 lb. The pigs were slaughtered and the live and dressed 

 weight, weight of the organs, etc., recorded. On an average t he sin inkage in the cross- 

 bred pigs was 23 per cent and in the pure-bred pigs 21 per cent. The author notes 

 that no striking features were brought out by the slaughter test. The crossbrtd 

 pork was considered superior for curing purposes, having a thinner rind, a larger 

 percentage of lean, a more even distribution of fat, and a liner texture of meat liber. 

 In general the flesh of the crossbred pigs was leaner than that of the others and 

 when cooked was regarded as of superior quality. 



To learn something of the possibilities of feeding crossbred Tamworth-Poland- 

 China pigs economically, a lot of 6 was fed for about a month soaked shorts, then for 

 2 months soaked chopped wheat, and for about a month chopped wheat and pea 

 meal 1:2, the largest gain being made, according to the author, during the last period. 

 In the 112 days covered by the test the average daily gain was 1.19 lbs. and the feed 

 eaten, per pound of gain 3.94 lbs. "The crossbred Tamworth-Poland-China pi^ for 

 a bacon hog in our opinion is certainly a very desirable one. The pigs are thrifty 

 from the time they are farrowed until matured." The estimated profit was$2.46 per 

 100 pounds live weight, not taking into account the cost of labor. 



Using 9 pure-bred Poland-China pigs, the value of green peas as pasturage when 

 supplemented by a ration of shorts and sweet separator skim milk was studied. The 

 variety of peas selected was black-eyed marrowfats, sown May 22, and the pigs were 

 turned on the pasture June 29. The test closed August 30, the pigs at this time hav- 

 ing exhausted the pasturage on the one-fourth acre plat used. The average daily 

 gain was 0.83 lb., the feed required per pound of gain being 2.15 lbs. of shorts and 

 4.43 lbs. of skim milk in addition to the pasturage. The author calculates that on the 

 basis of this test an acre of peas converted into pork would be worth $59.56. "This, 

 of course, is very large and could not be expected from any considerable area. . . . 

 We have so far found the black-eyed marrowfat pea superior to the white Canada 

 field pea, but conditions of soil will modify the results very much." The need of 

 planting the peas deeply to avoid danger from drought is pointed out. 



Peptone feed for pigs, W. Muller (Fuhling's Landw. Zl</., 53 (1904), No. 12, 

 pp. 456, 457). — Continuing earlier work (E. S. R., 15, p. 501), this brief note states 

 that pigs given peptone feed in addition to potatoes and grain were fed at a greater 

 profit than similar lots fed potatoes and grain only. 



The nutrition of horses, J. B. Lindsey and P. II. Smith {Massarlnist'lls >s/a. Bui. 

 99, pp. 11-16). — Suitable feeding stuffs for horses, preparation of feed, watering, 

 digestibility, and related topics are discussed and a number of rations suggested, 

 some of which have been fed at experiment stations or by practical feeders. 



"Generally speaking, 12 to 15 lbs. each of hay and grain daily are sufficient for 

 horses of 1,200 to 1,300 lbs. weight doing moderately hard work. Should a portion 

 of the grain consist of cotton seed, or gluten meal, it would be wise to reduce the 

 grain ration somewhat and increase the quantity of hay. Farmers will naturally 

 prefer to feed a maximum amount of hay and as small a quantity of grain as possible. 

 In view of the high prices usually prevailing for oats, the feeder should aim to provide 

 partial or entire substitutes for this grain. Mixtures of corn and bran, or corn, 

 brewers' grains, and bran, ought to prove quite satisfactory." 



Feeding horses and mules on home-grown feed stuffs, C. M. Connok (Florida 

 Sta. Bid. 72, pp. 115-126). — The value of sweet potatoes, cassava, and of cane sirup as 

 a partial substitute for corn in a ration for horses and mules was studied. 



