35^ SWINE IN AxMERICA 



FIELD PEAS 



The field or Canadian pea is extensively grown in 

 Canada (in fact, is one of Ontario's most important crops 

 for meat making), and somewhat along the northern 

 rim of the corn belt, and in the mountain states to the 

 westward, as a food for swine and other stock, where it 

 is a substitute for corn. In Colorado there is much en- 

 thusiasm over the prospects of an extensive and profit- 

 able swine husbandry there, made possible by the adapta- 

 bility of the field pea. Used with judgment, the peas, 

 with their abundant protein, supply an excellent food for 

 swine at all stages of development. On account of its 

 sodden character, pea meal is too heavy to be fed as the 

 exclusive grain allowance, and Professor Henry says it 

 should be lightened, by mixing with wheat bran, ground 

 oats or corn meal. Prof. Thomas Shaw, who knows 

 them well, says peas are superior to corn as a food for 

 pigs at any time prior to the fattening season; hence 

 they may be fed to swine more freely, but in no instance 

 should they form the sole ration before the finishing 

 period begins. "During the fattening period they are 

 unexcelled when fed as the sole grain food. They pro- 

 mote growth, while they fatten in excellent form, and 

 they furnish a sweet, firm and excellent quality of pork. 

 Grown in conjunction with some other kinds of grain, 

 peas are of great value as a soiling crop, owing to the 

 larger yields obtained (from lo to 20 tons per acre may 

 be expected on average soils) ; to the high nutritive value 

 of the food, combined with its palatability and because of 

 its timeliness. This crop is ready as soon as the spring 



