168 



An Experiment in Picj-Feediny. 



nearly finished at the morning meal. Hence in Table I. the 

 periods between the times of weighing will not be found uniform, 

 but varying from seven to sixteen days. A glance at the Table 

 will show that it does not record an even rate of progress for any 

 one of the pigs. Observations recorded at such short intervals 

 are liable to be affected by minor incidental circumstances in 

 the health of the pig, that would not appear in observations made 

 at longer periods ; and even when we look along the line that 

 gives the total increase in the weight of all four pigs taken 



Table I. — Showikg the Gain in Weight (in lbs.) of each Pig, and of the Pen of 

 4 Pigs, also the Weight of Food consumed in each Period between the Times 

 of Weighing. 



together, it is difficult to find that the increase bears any propor- 

 tion to the length of the period or the weight of the food con- 

 sumed. To ascertain, however, the pecuniari/ result of the 

 experiment, we need only compare the final total increase of 

 weight with the total consumption of food, deferring for after 

 consideration the progressive stages by which that result is 

 attained. 



Although when put up, and during the first half of the experi- 

 ment, the pigs appeared to be all equally healthy and vigorous, 

 a very marked difference occurred in the latter half. Pigs Nos. 

 3 and 4 progressed so slowly that something was supposed to be 



