1919] ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 73 



[Feeding experiments with swine] J. M. Hunteb {New Jersey Stas. Rpt. 

 1917, pp. 107-121). — Summaries of 4 swine feeding experiments are presented, 

 mostly in continuation of work previously noted (E. S. R., 39, p. 777). 



A comparison of self-feeding and hand-feeding of concentrates when forage 

 crops were also fed was made with two groups of 24 weanling pigs, averaging 

 49 lbs. in weight, from June 14 to October 1, 1916. Each group was divided into 

 4 equal lots, treated similarly. One group had free clioice of shelled corn, wheat 

 middlings, and tankage (60 per cent), the other was fed a 2 per cent ration 

 made up of these feeds in proportions that varied somewhat from lot to lot. 

 The self-fed group made a total average gain per pig of 106 lbs. at a cost per 

 pound of 3.2 lbs. of feed. The hand-fed group gained only 70.4 lbs. per pig 

 and consumed 1.8 lbs. of feed per pound of gain. There were considerable dif- 

 ferences between lots within a group. On October 2, when the forage season 

 was over, certain pigs of both groups that had not attained a weight of 200 

 lbs. were given free choice of corn and tankage. By December 12, the contin- 

 uously self-fed pigs averaged 56.6 lbs. increased weight and had consumed 5.2 

 lbs. of feed per pound of gain. The pigs previously hand-fed had gained an 

 average of 41.25 lbs. by tlie same date at a cost of 7.5 lbs. of feed per pound 

 of gain. 



A second trial with blackstrap molasses as a substitute in whole or in part 

 for corn in a ration for brood sows is reported, 4 lots of 6 sows, 2 to 4^ years 

 old, being used. The lots fed corn meal and molasses and hominy feed and 

 molasses did about as well as the lot fed corn without molasses. A lot not re- 

 ceiving any corn but a larger amount of molasses and with .the proportions of 

 other feeding stuffs altered to secure the same nutritive ratio and the same 

 amount of digestible nutrients in the rations, gained at a nmch slower rate, 

 and showed a tendency to scour. 



A single test with 7 sows and their pigs seems to indicate that young growing 

 pigs can not make satisfactory gains when fed out of doors during the winter 

 and housed in an A-shaped colony house. 



Forty fall pigs averaging 42 lbs. in weight were divided into 4 equal lots for 

 a test of fattening rations fed free choice. Apparently the length of trial 

 varied in the different lots, and the exact basis of comparison is not altogether 

 evident. In the order of increasing time estimated as necessary for the pigs 

 . to attain a weight of about 200 lbs., the rations tested ranked as follows : 

 (1) Shelled corn, wheat middlings, tankage, and gkim milk, (2) corn, mid- 

 dlings, and tankage, (3) corn and tankage, and (4) corn, middlings, tankage, 

 and ground alfalfa. The low average gains on the last-named rations are at- 

 tributed partly to the influence of a single pig that remained stunted throughout, 

 " j^et the fact remains that ground alfalfa is not relished by young fattening 

 pigs having access to the self-feeder containing the above-mentioned feeds. 

 When 2 lbs. of ground alfalfa is all that pigs at 100 to 150 lbs. will consume 

 per day it is not likely that such a small amount would effect any considerable 

 saving or tend to cheapen the ration. It may be possible that ground alfalfa 

 lessens the appetites of pigs on the self-feeders." 



[Mineral nutrients and com in swine feeding] (Kansas Sta. Rpt. 1918, pp. 

 13-17).— The two lines of work already noted (E. S. R., 40, p. -371) have been 

 continued. 



Study of the influence of low-ash rations on pregnant sows was made with 14 

 animals, 10 being survivors of the preceding year's work. Eight sows fed 

 ground corn alone with either tap or distilled water produced 14 dead pigs 

 and 39 living ones, of which only 6 lived for 2 months. Three sows fed corn, 

 corn gluten meal, and blood meal produced 21 dead pigs and no living ones. 



