l^l^J ANIMAL PRODUCTION. ggQ 



sows. The first period of lactation in the very younjr sows exerts a markedly 

 retarding effect on the growth of the mothers. Tiu'se results conlirni last 

 year's work (E. S. R., 33, p. 2G.3), 



A study of the residual effects of forage crops for swine, by L. A. Weaver.— 

 The results of this year's trials were the reverse of those obtained last year 

 (E. S. R., 33, p. 266). This year there was found to be a slight advantage in 

 favor of pigs which had previously been in dry lot, as compared with those 

 previously on pasture. From the results of the two years' investigation 

 there is little evidence that hogs fed on forage crops during the suninier are 

 more quickly or economically fattened after such treatment than similar hogs 

 fed in a dry lot during the same period. 



Forage crops for pork production, by L. A. Weaver.— The results of this 

 experiment indicate that it is not necessary to supplement a corn ration 

 with tankage, or other high protein food, when hogs are on rape pasture. 

 Results of other tests indicate that it is a profitable practice to feed a small 

 amount of tankage to hogs pastured on corn and cowpeas. 



Corn silage as a part ration for horses of various ages, by E. A. Trowbridge 

 and E. H. Hughes. — The animals studied included draft horses and mules, 

 saddle mares, draft and saddle foals, 2-year-old fillies, and 3-year-old geldings, 

 divided into pairs. Each animal received the same grain ration consisting 

 of corn, oats, and bran, 2:2:1. One of the animals in each pair of the 

 growing and idle horses received alfalfa hay as its roughage, part of which 

 was fed at night and part in the morning. The other animal in each pair 

 received alfalfa hay in the morning and corn silage at night. The draft 

 animals at work were fed the same except that timothy hay was used Instead 

 of alfalfa. Some difficulty was experienced in getting the animals that had 

 been on dry feed previous to the test to eat the silage. 



With two exceptions, the animals receiving silage were in a more thrifty 

 condition at the end of the trial. The results of the first test indicate that 

 silage can be successfully substituted for a part of the hay in the ration of 

 horses at the rate of 2 lbs. of silage for 1 lb. of hay. 



[Animal husbandry], A. C. Harienbower and L. B. Barber (Guam Sta. Rpt. 

 1915, pp. 15, 16, 22-25, pi. 1). — The breeding experiments with horses, cattle, 

 pigs, goats, and chickens have been continued along the same lines as hereto- 

 fore (E. S. R., 32, p. 767). It has been uniformly noted that the .station's pure- 

 bred sires bring about a marked improvement in the native live stock even in 

 the first generation, although from the standpoint of hardiness a certain per- 

 centage of native blood appears to be desirable. The effect of inbreeding has 

 become strongly noticeable in the station's pigs and chickens, and arrangements 

 have been made for the shipment of pigs, goats, and chickens from the United 

 States to the station. In an effort to improve live stock on the island the 

 station has made arrangements to send breeding sires to different sections. 



In a preliminary test of pasture crops for pigs cowpeas proved superior to 

 soy beans. Results indicated that in wet seasons at least two crops of pasture 

 can be secured from one sowing of cowpeas. The cowpeas and soy beans were 

 seeded in December. One-half an acre of Para grass kept six sows and one 

 boar in good flesh throughout most of the extreme dry season. This test 

 showed that Para grass should not be pastured too heavily, and that it should 

 be given rest periods of two out of every five weeks to recuperate. 



In a feeding test with pigs a ration of native feeds was compared with a 

 ration of imported feeds. Two lots of 4 Berkshire-native cross-bred pigs were 

 used in the experiment which lasted 64 days. Each lot received 10 lbs. of Para 

 grass daily, and in addition one lot was fed 18 lbs. of breadfruit and 3 lbs. of 



