7G2 Journal of AqricuUiirc, Victoria. [10 Dec, 1017. 



conducted the winter of 1913-14, witli rations including corn, butter- 

 milk, alfalfa, and meat meal, the following results were achieved : — 



Effect of Rations Fed Gilts on Resulting Litters. 



We here see the results of the previous experiment confirmed, and it 

 well illustrates the desirability of some protein to supplement corn in 

 feeding brood sows. Not only were the new-bom pigs in greater 

 number, but of better size and strength. The gilts receiving a supple- 

 ment to corn made larger and cheaper daily gains, as is indicated in the 

 following table : — 



Corn only 



Corn and butter-milk 



Corn and ground alfalfa 



Corn and wbole alfalfa 



Corn and meat meal 



The experimenters found difficulty in getting some sows to eat suffi- 

 cient alfalfa out of the rack in order to insure the kind of litters hog 

 men want. Hence, they tried the ground alfalfa as a supplement, and 

 found it successful. One year the yearling sows farrowed weak " corn 

 alone sort " of litters, because they simply ignored the alfalfa in the 

 rack, good quality though it was. This word of caution may not be 

 amiss : Be sure your gilts and old sows carrying litters eat at least a 

 half-pound, letter over a pound, of alfalfa daily; otherwise, if the defi- 

 ciency is not remedied somehow, there'll be regrets expressed on farrow- 

 ing day. 



Corn, alfalfa, and meat meal tankage should make a very excep- 

 tionally good trio of brood sow feeds if happily combined. A suggestive 

 ration which would be quite economical would be to give the sows, gilts, 

 and older ones enough corn to keep them in good condition, adding 

 alfalfa in a rack, and giving them about 1-5 to -J lb. of meat product 

 daily. The alfalfa may be ground and mixed with corn, say, 100 lbs. 

 com to 100 lbs. alfalfa, and same allowed in a self-feeder. An average 

 gilt of 250 lbs. will eat about 5 to 6 lbs. of this daily, so to get the neces- 

 sary tankage into it, mix -i\ath every hundred about 5 lbs. of this meat 

 product. If the sows get too fat, increase the proportion of ground 

 alfalfa accordingly — the results should be happy ones at farrowing 

 time. Don't forget the common salt at free will, and plenty of good 

 wholesome water. Wood ashes are a most excellent swine feed, and 

 prairie farmers are unfortunate in that they have so few of them. Cob 

 ashes are good, and charred cobs are of exceptional value, because they 

 furnish a form of charcoal that hogs relish, and do well with. 



— Hoard's Dairyman. 



