128 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



to this hard wood ashes supplied in troughs. Lot three had bone meal 

 mixed in the food in small amount. These pigs were fed 84 to 128 

 daj'S, and then killed. The trial showed that none of the pigs were 

 properly nourished. They did not differ much in general appearance, 

 though these getting no ashes or bone were the most stunted. Slaugh- 

 ter, however, showed no difference in the proportion of fat to lean in 

 either lot, neither was there any special difference in the intestines. 

 When, however, the bones of the leg (thigh) of pigs in the different lots 

 were broken in a testing machine in the laboratory, those fed the corn 

 meal without ashes or bone, broke at 301 pounds pressure, while those 

 fed bone meal required 680 pounds pressure. The lot fed ashes broke 

 at 581 pounds. This experiment clearly sets forth the need of mineral 

 matter in the food of pigs fed only corn, else the bones will be de- 

 ficient in strength. 



It has, however, been demonstrated in experimental feeding, that 

 corn meal diet only, is not as profitable feeding for pigs, as when sub- 

 stances are combined with it to better balance the ration. Skim milk 

 is common in many localities, and has been shown to be a valuable 

 substance to mix with meal to produce a more efficient and profitable 

 ration. As a result of experiments in many stations, skim milk has 

 been shown to have a feeding value of from fifteen to thirty cents 

 per hundred pounds. Recent experiments at the Arizona Station show 

 that pigs fed ten quarts of skim milk to one part barley, made daily 

 gains of 1.48 pounds, giving 271/2 cents return for each 100 pounds of 

 skim milk. Other pigs fed sixteen quarts of skim milk to one part 

 alfalfa, made a daily gain of 1.32 pounds, giving a return of 28.4 cents 

 per hundred pounds of milk. 



It has been stated, that the results of nineteen experiments conducted 

 by the Massachusetts State Experiment Station, show the following: 



Pigs weighing 20 to 80 pounds should be fed two ounces corn to one 

 quart skim milk. 



Pigs weighing from 80 to 125 pounds should be fed four ounces corn 

 to one quart skim milk. 



Pigs w(Mghing from 125 to 190 pounds should be fed six ounces corn 

 to one quart skim milk. 



A most satisfactory standard ration for a pig consists of one part 

 corn meal and one part shorts or middlings. Bran is not fitted for 

 young pigs, nor as a rule for pigs at all, for its chaffy character is 

 apt to cause bowel trouble. Such a ration as this, produces high-class 

 pork, and pigs fed on it will gain rapidly. 



During the season of 1900-1901 I conducted an experiment at the 

 Indiana Station to see if some material could not be added to corn meal 

 that would improve its value as a feeding stuff. For this purpose, tank- 

 age, a product of the packing houses, a material rich in protein, w^as 

 used. Sixteen pigs, were divided into four equal lots. One lot was 

 given ten parts pure corn meal and one part tankage; one lot given 

 five parts pure corn meal and one part tankage; one lot was fed pure 

 corn meal only, while a fourth lot was fed ten parts of a mixture in 

 equal proportions of corn meal and shorts, and one part tankage. These 

 pigs were fed from November 21 to March 27. During this time the 

 lot fed corn meal made by far the poorest growth gaining 341% pounds, 

 or 237% pounds less than lot four fed corn meal and shorts and 

 tankage, and 283 pounds less than the lot that received five parts corn 



