CHAPTER XIII. 



Feeding and Fattening 



The beginner in swine husbandry is naturally inclined 

 to demand knowledge of exact rations and methods for 

 his operations, unmindful of the fact tliat the man and 

 his animals and the local facilities or conditions — any one 

 or all of these — may make the specific application of a 

 given method or ration entirely unwise. Precisely the 

 variety and quantity to feed a hog, for example, is a ques- 

 tion between the animal and his feeder and the best 

 another can do is to offer suggestions and experiences. 

 To the observing and thoughtful these may be of great 

 value; possibly as much so in furnishing ideas of what 

 not to do as in an affirmative way. The experiences of 

 others will be helpful according to the quality of a man's 

 own judgment in their application. There is ample tes- 

 timony to enable him to decide whether a certain feed 

 is best suited for growth or for fattening, but the most 

 economical or profitable ration for him to use can only 

 he determined from a knovvledge of the feeds available 

 .ind the current prices for them. Grain or other feed on 

 hand may ordinarily be desirable, yet on occasion of 

 high prices prevailing for one commodity it may be econ- 

 omy to dispose of that on the farm and purchase for the 

 :ime being one less expensive. Instances might be mul- 

 tiplied showing- how far the feeder's judgment and in- 

 telligence enter into the attainment of satisfactory 

 results. 



299 



