398 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



The experiments in pig-feeding, by Mr. Miles, began in 1868, and ex- 

 tend through a period of four years. As to the object and extent of 

 these experiments, Mr. Miles says : 



The first scries of pig-feeding experiments, now completed, have been conducted for 

 the purpose of ascertaining the value of raw corn-meal when fed by itself. The ex- 

 clusive use of raw meal iu pig-feeding is not to be recommended as the best paying 

 method, aa better results can undoubtedly be obtained with a proper admixture with 

 other foods. The leading object in view in the experiments already made was to ob- 

 tain a reliable standard of value with which to compare the results with corn in other 

 forms and when mixed with other foods. The complexity of the conditions involved 

 in experiments with mixed foods seemed to require this preliminary experiment with 

 a single article of some standard food as a starting-point. 



Forty-two pigs of different kinds have been under experiment, and the gross amount 

 of raw corn-meal consumed has been over 10 tons. The greatest care has been taken 

 to secure accuracy in everything relating to the experiments, and every precaution 

 has been taken to eliminate dements of error. From the close agreement of the numer- 

 ous experiments embraced in this series, it is believed that the results on the whole 

 may be accepted as approximately correct. 



In summing up the results of the entire series, it would be desirable to make a com- 

 parison as to the relative merits of the different breeds under experiment, were it not 

 for the fiict that the conditions are so varied as to age as to prevent any grouping of 

 breeds that would be satisfactory. The experiments all show that the age and ripe- 

 ness (degree of fatness) of the animals have an important influence on the amount of 

 food consumed in proportion to weight, and on the return received for feed consumed. 

 The younger animals eat more in proportion to their live weight, and they likewise 

 require less food to make a given increase in live weight. As animals ripen they con- 

 sume less food in proportion to live weight, and they likewise require a larger amount 

 of feed to make a given increase in live weight. It is possible that the size of the 

 animals may have an influence on consumption In proportion to weight, <ind upon the 

 amount of food required to produce a given increase ; but this is a difficult matter 

 to determine by experiment, and the data for its discussion have not as yet been 

 obtained. 



The incorrectnesa of the prevalent opinion, that the animals that consume the 

 emaUost amount of food are the most profitable, is conclusively shown in the results of 

 these experiments. It will be safe to say that the animal capable of eating the most 

 is the most profitable, provided the digestive organs are capable of assimilating a large 

 amount of food und converting it into animal products. In such cases the proportion 

 of food required to supply the waste of tissues and keep the animal machinery in 

 working order is less than when the amount consumed is but little. It is only, in fact, 

 from the excess of food over what is required for repair of the tissues that a profit in 

 animal products can be obtained. 



For the purpose of showing the influence of age and ripeness upon the amount of 

 feed consumed and upon the return obtained for it, the results of the entire series of 

 experiments have been tabulated iu periods of four weeks, and in groups of agps over 

 aix months and under six months, together with the general average of all ages for 

 each period. In the table which follows, pen 9 of 1670 and pens 14 and 16 of 1869, 

 have been entirely omitted, for the reason that the irregular progress of these animals 

 indicated an abnormal condition of the digestive organs that rendered their record of 

 no value. The weights are all given in pounds and decimals of a pound. 



