708 FEEDS AND FEEDING 



1868 to 1877, 11.7 bushels; 1878 to 1897, 11.0 bushels; 1888 to 1897, 11.8 

 bushels; and 1898 to 1907, 12.2 bushels. 



One of the most important factors influencing the cost of producing 

 pork is the number of pigs raised per litter. For example, let us suppose 

 that the net cost of raising gilts up to the time their litters are weaned 

 is $25.00 a head, after crediting what they are worth for pork at that 

 time. The cost per pig at weaning time will then be only $3.57 if 7 pigs 

 are raised per litter, but it will be $6.25 if only 4 pigs are raised per 

 litter. This shows the importance of building up by careful selection 

 a herd of sows which will not only farrow large litters of pigs, but which 

 are also kind mothers and good milk producers. When one has such sows 

 and then feeds and cares for them and their offspring as a true stockman 

 should, then and only then can the cost of pork production be reduced 

 to the minimum. 



