ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 281 



period only, without inducing t- »xi«- symptoms. The toxic allowance is determined 

 hy the amount per day ratherthan by the absolute amounl fed. Thirty pounds fed 

 in 30 days ma) cause fatal poisoning while amounts up to L50 lbs. in proper daily 

 allowance have been fed without harmful effects. In feeding cotton-seed meal to 

 pigs the daily allowance in general should be arrived al from the age and weight of 

 the animals. 



'* For continuous feeding the following allowances appear to be well within the 

 danger limit: Pigs under 50 lbs., one-fourth pound per day. Pigs from 50 to 75 lbs., 

 one-third pound per day. Pigs from 75 to LOO Lbs., 0.4 lb. per day. Pigs from Km 

 to L50 lbs., one-half pound per day. If fed a full grain allowance, the dosage may 

 be obtained by properly proportioning the cotton-seed meal to the other components 

 of the ration, namely, l to 5, 6, 7. or 8, according to the stage of growth. When 

 pigs obtain part of their feed by grazing a proportion of I to \ or 1 to 5 can be fed by 

 diminishing the grain allowance. A meal ration containing cotton-seed meal Bhould 

 also contain at least an equal amounl of win 'at bran to supply bulk. For the remainder, 

 born appears to be the only choice. 



•'In a ration for hogs cotton-seed meal can only be used as an adjunct and corrector 

 for a basal corn ration, and this is obtained by the proportions mentioned. At the 

 price prevailing and likely to prevail for cotton-seed meal it is doubtful if Larger 



amounts could be economically fed even independent of the toxic effecl of the f I. 



[n the amount prescribed above cotton-seed meal can be fed indefinitely as to the 

 time just as any other feed. With the same breed of pigs a ration of cotton-seed 

 meal, bran, and corn in various proportions has made quicker and more profitable 

 gains than bran and corn alone, and this at all stages of growth. 



"Cotton-seed meal has not been found to exert any specially harmful influences on 

 breeding stock independent of its general toxic effects. Cotton seed (chopped), 

 although eaten at first reluctantly and always with some waste, seemed so to supple- 

 ment or economize the corn ration, with which it was fed, that a relatively cheap pro- 

 duction of pork was produced by its use. i Based on one test only. | It would seem 

 that on account of its cheapness to the southern fanner it might, if iv<\ carefully, be 

 utilized in pork growing. The daily allowance should beabout the same as for cot- 

 ton-seed meal and the feeding done in such a way that this allowance could not be 

 exceed,. d. Cotton seed and corn make prohahly the best combination, about l to 6 

 or more if on full feed, or 1 to ■'>, 4, or 5 if on short allowance of grain. 



" Where hogs are allowed free access to cotton seed they will likely poison them- 



seUes ufileee freely supplied with other food, in which case the amount eaten may 

 not be sufficient to cause poisoning. We have had no experience with cotton seed 



rotted, roasted, -teamed, or otherwise treated, hut helieve the harmful influence to 



beabout the same in character and degree as in cotton-seed meal, being Located in 

 tin- kernel or 'meat. - ( 'ot ton-seed hulls are not toxic for hours, and hence probably 

 not for cattle either. They are only available for hog feed when ground into a ' bran,' 

 and at the price charged this •cotton-hull bran' is unprofitable. 'Cotton-seed i<-^<\ ' 

 should also he avoided as a hog iiH-<\. 



••('rude cotton oil when fed apart from the kernels has not occasioned symptoms 

 such as we found in cotton-seed meal poisoning, although in the quantities ir>\ it seemed 

 load harmfully, giving rise to unthriftiness and possibly even death. These condi- 

 tions may Ke the effect of an overoleaginous ration or of a special toxin. Our trials 

 have not yet decided this matter. 



"The economy or profit to the southern planter of feeding cotton seed or cotton- 

 seed meal to ho L 's is a subject worthy of mote extensive investigation than it ha- yet 



received, such investigations being made along the lines suggested in this report. 

 Guided by these suggestions as to rations, the prospect is favorable, hut feeding in 



Ignorance or indifference of these will only result in loss. The idea that cotton-food 



VM77 — No. 3—05 6 



