274 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



fed smaller amounts of the same grain mixture and sugar beets in addition, while lot 

 3 was fed the same grain mixture with alfalfa hay. The pigs weighed on an average 

 112 lbs. each at the beginning of the trial. The average daily gain per head of the 

 three lots while on the wheat ration was 1.04, 1.06, and 1.00 lbs., respectively, while 

 on the barley ration the corresponding gain was 1.46, 1.50, and 1.49 lbs. Consider- 

 ing the test as a whole, the pigs in lot 1 required 5.32 lbs. of grain per pound of gain, 

 while those in lots 2 and 3 required 4.26 and 4.86 lbs., respectively. On lot 1 there 

 was a net profit of $1.80 per head; on lot 2, of $2.28; and on lot 3, of $1.87. Some 

 of the author's conclusions follow: 



"A straight grain ration, though it produces a rapid gain, is the most expensive 

 method of feeding. Damaged grain can not be utilized to better advantage than 

 when converted into pork. Grains seldom reach a market price in Montana at which 

 they can not be marketed to equal advantage in the form of pork. 



" Sugar beets are a valuable adjunct to use along with grain foods for fattening 

 hogs. While the small percentage of [nutritive material] contained in them is of 

 value, the beneficial effects produced on digestion and the assimilation of other foods 

 is very marked. The figures indicate that by their use a saving of grain is effected, 

 and the quality of the meat improved. 



"Alfalfa as a food adjunct for fattening hogs is valuable. While it should not be 

 forced into a ration, cut and mixed with meal in such large quantity as to render it 

 bulky, small quantities can be used to good advantage in this way, or supplied whole 

 in racks. It lessens the cost of production, aids in keeping the animals in a good 

 thrifty condition, and improves the quality of the meat produced. We have not 

 found its use equal to sugar beets or mangels." 



Molasses and maize germ molasses; feeding experiments with pigs, M. 

 Gerlach {Jahresber. Landw. Vers. Stat., Jersitz.-bei-Posen, 1898-99; abs. in Centbl. Agr. 

 Chem.,30 {1901),No.2,p. 104). — The pigs fed maize germ and molasses made bet- 

 ter gains than those fed meal. 



Pigs, J. H. Grisdale {Canada Expt. Farms Rpts.1900, pp. 79-81). — Statements are 

 made concerning the cost of gain by pigs pastured on clover, fed steamed clover, 

 mangels and skim milk in addition to grain, and also by 3 lots fed grain alone. One 

 of these was fed three times a day; another was fed with a self-feeder. The cost of a 

 pound of gain ranged from 4.2 cts. on clover pasturage and grain to 2.24 cts. on skim 

 milk and grain. 



Swine, R. Robertson ( Canada Expt. Farms Rpts. 1900, pp. 308-310) . — In addition 

 to statistics regarding pigs kept at the Experimental Farm for the Maritime Provinces 

 2 tests are briefly reported. A lot of 16 pigs was pastured on good clover for 90 days 

 and fed shorts, corn meal, and skim milk in addition. Eight similar pigs were fed 

 in pens the same grain ration. All the pigs were then fed corn meal and skim milk 

 for 90 days. The pigs fed part of the time on pasture made much larger gains than 

 those fed in pens. 



Buckwheat, shorts, corn meal, and crushed oats (2:1) and pea meal and crushed 

 oats (2:1) were compared with 4 lots of 4 pigs each, skim milk being fed in addition 

 to the grain. The average daily gain of the 4 lots was 95.14, 94.45, 94.45, and 95.32 

 lbs., respectively. 



Swine, S. A. Bradford and A. Mackay {Canada Expt. Farms Rpts. 1900, pp. 

 366-367, 430). — Notes on the pigs at the Brandon and Indian Head Experimental 

 Farms. 



Pumpkins, J. H. Grisdale {Canada Expt. Farms Rpts. 1900, pp. 93, 94)- — A feed- 

 ing experiment with pigs is reported. "One lot fed on raw pumpkins did fairly 

 well, making a gain of 745 lbs. in 107 days, at a cost of $3.08 per 100 lbs. gain. They 

 ate 2,090 lbs. pumpkins and 1,981 lbs. meal half corn, half oats, peas and barley 

 equal parts. 



