"Amongst the domestic animals, none respond so readily to root 

 crops as pigs. We have to admit that, under some conditions of 

 climate, they are costly crops to raise, as they require large quanti- 

 ties of water. All things being equal, however, they provide a high 

 percentage of digestible dry matter. Their value is chiefly emphasis- 

 ed in making available, during the hot, dry months of summer, and 

 the cold months of winter, a succulent, relishable fodder, when our 

 natural pastures and herbage are dry and scarce. 



" Seeing they contain high percentages of water, starches, and 

 sugars, it is essential, in the maintenance of a maximum growth in 

 fattening swine, that they be combined judiciously with cereals, maize, 

 flesh food, lucerne, pollard, skim milk, cowpeas, peas, beans, and other 

 similar foods. 



" A too wide nutritive value may create waste and check good 

 growth by preventing the complete digestion of the protein, as well as 

 permitting some of the starches to pass from the body as manure." 



On the subject of 



Potatoes 



as pig food, the author says : " When fed to pigs, potatoes appear to 

 agree with them better than other root crops, particularly when the 

 ration is balanced with barley, maize, or oats and skim milk. The 

 Danes secure very high returns with this class of food. The starchy 

 matter of the potatoes is combined with the protein of the skim 

 milk and cereals to formulate a well-arranged diet. The bacon made 

 from pigs fed on these rations has a notable reputation. 



" At the Wisconsin Experiment Station it was ascertained that 

 I bushel of maize is equal in food value to 4H bushels of cooked 

 potatoes. In numerous experiments it was found that pigs always 

 secured better flesh gains by being fed on cooked potatoes in com- 

 parison with those given raw. 



" The use of potatoes as pig-feed can only be determined by the 

 current market values. When potatoes are low in price, their use as 

 a pig-food is justified ; but, where potatoes are grown as a staple 

 crop on the farm, there is always an unmarketable residue, and these 

 can be fed to pigs with advantage. Pork raised solely from potatoes 

 has a tendency to be very fat, and wasteful in cooking. In every 

 instance they must be fed with other foods in which the percentage 

 -of protein is prominently high." 



Artichokes. 



" This is a flowering, perennial plant which has, in the past, been 

 overlooked as a valuable food for pigs. It grows from 6 to 9 feet high, 

 and when in bloom, seen from a distance, the crop looks like one of 

 miniature sunflowers. 



"The stalks are frequently used for feeding sheep or conversion 

 into silage, and the tubers afford a palatable and succulent food for 

 pigs. The plant is very persistent in growth, and, if raised, in suit- 



