388 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



meal should be supplemented by some more concentrated feed, middlings, soy-beau 

 meal, and tankage were tested for this purpose, using- 4 lots of 4 crossbred pigs each. 

 The feeding stuffs used were analyzed. 



On the corn meal alone the average daily gain per pig in the 3 months of the test 

 was 2.18 lbs. and the feed eaten per pound of gain 5.57 lbs. With the lot fed corn 

 meal and middlings 1:1 similar values were 4.35 lbs. and 3.43 lbs. With corn meal 

 and soy beans 2:1 the average daily gain was 4. 78 lbs. and the feed eaten per pound 

 of gain 3.11 lbs., and with corn meal and tankage 5:1 the values were 4.15 lbs. and 

 3.31 lbs. 



In the case of the corn-meal ration the nutritive ratio wan 1:13.3. On the rations 

 containing wheat middlings, soy-bean meal, and tankage it was. respectively, 1:8, 

 1 :5.1, and 1:5.2. The cost of teed per pound of gain was not far from 3.5 cts. on an 

 average with all the lots fed corn meal supplemented by concentrated feed and was 

 a little over 5 cts. on corn meal only. 



"Corn alone is not a desirable feed for hogs; especially is this true in the case of 

 young growing pigs and breeding stock. This was evidenced in the test under con- 

 sideration by the small gains, poor appetites, lack of bone, poorly developed car- 

 casses harsh skin and hair, and a sharp, rasping, complaining squeal rather than 

 the contented grunt so well recognized by swine growers. Perhaps the greatest need 

 for some adjunct to corn on the average farm occurs during the winter months, in 

 the case of fall or winter pigs and brood sows, as they usually have access to more 

 or less grass, clover, etc., during the summer. ... It takes favorable conditions 

 and good feeding to make a profit [on corn meal only] on the late fall pig. Too fre- 

 quently they are carried through at a loss, much of which might be avoided by a 

 more judicious use of corn. Doubtless less corn and more of other feeds, such as 

 milk, shorts or middlings, soy beans, tankage, and oil meal would greatly increase 

 the profit on fall pigs. 



''Middlings among other feeds is generally recognized as a desirable feed to com- 

 bine with corn. In this test it proved to be the most profitable so far as money 

 return was concerned. It is quite commonly used and has proved very effective in 

 other tests. It is generally appreciated by swine growers, but high priced and diffi- 

 cult to secure. 



" Tankage, although less widely known, has desirable qualities. In this test it did 

 not give as favorable results as middlings or soy beans. This was doubtless due, in 

 part, to the fact that one pig in the lot receiving tankage did not seem to make effi- 

 cient use of the feed consumed during a portion of the time. . . . 



"Soy beans are not commonly used in pork production. This is doubtless due to 

 lack of knowledge of their characteristics and value." 



Poultry suggestions for the amateur, G. K. Graham (Connecticut Storrs Sta. 

 Bui. 36, pp. 12, figs. 9). — The kind of eggs which should be selected for hatching, 

 packing eggs for shipment, nests for setting hens, incubators, care of young chicks, 

 and other related topics are discussed. 



Poultry experiments, G. M. Gowell (Maine Sta. Bui. 117, pp. 93-116).— The 

 station work in breeding laying stock is reviewed; the proposed work which has to 

 do with the amount of floor space required by poultry and related topics is outlined; 

 the poultry houses at the station, including one recently built, are described; sample 

 pedigree charts like those used in breeding tests are given, and the results of several 

 tests on breeding and feeding are reported. 



The author's experience convinces him that the use of trap nests is very desirable 

 in selecting poultry in connection with breeding for improved stock, but suggests 

 that where this is not practicable early maturity in pullets may be a basis for such 

 selection. This was shown by a lot of 29 April-hatched pullets selected because they 

 had begun to lay in the latter part of August. From September 1 until April 30 



