374 SWINE IN AMERICA 



been marketed with trade names, tending to give experi- 

 ments with them more or less of an advertising nature. 



OIL MEALS 



The residues from oil-bearing seeds, mainly the meal 

 from flaxseed and cottonseed cake after extracting 

 the oil. are sometimes used for making up swine rations. 

 The value of tlie cottonseed product is much disputed, 

 but that from flaxseed is used with good results. It is 

 known as linseed-oil meal, "old process," and "new proc- 

 ess," the "new" dift'ering from the "old" in that chemi- 

 cal process instead of pressure has been used to extract 

 the oil. The linseed-oil cake (afterward ground to 

 make the meal) is produced by the old process. The dry 

 matter in linseed-oil meal is about the same with either 

 process, practically 90 per cent ; the protein averages 

 about 28 per cent, but the carbohydrates are usually 

 greater in the new process meal. Unground flaxseed 

 itself is not used as feed. 



Linseed-oil meal is a supplemental feed, and aids by 

 assisting digestion and improving the conditions and ap- 

 pearance of the animal receiving it. Its effect is espe- 

 cially noticeable in sleek and smooth skin and hair. It 

 makes an excellent supplement to corn by reason of its 

 stimulating and laxative tendency. 



As a rule, it should be used in rather restricted quan- 

 tity, some breeders maintaining that an overfeeding of 

 linseed-oil meal to sows in pig will cause abortion. Used 

 with discretion, however, it has much value. "Many a 

 brood sow and litter, lost from feeding overheating 



