n THE SCIENTIFIC FEEDING OF ANIMALS 



should be supplied with the potatoes. When fed in small quantities to 

 ruminants, potatoes may be given raw, crushed and mixed with one-sixth 

 of their weight of chaff. If large quantities are fed it is better to 

 steam or ferment them before feeding. Cleanliness is indispensable. 



Potatoes are a very important feeding stuff for pigs. They will fatten 

 pigs rapidly and economically. According to very carefully conducted 

 experiments by Lehmann in Goettingen and Voeltz in Berlin, the gross 

 proceeds from 100 kg. of potatoes^" fed to fattening swine was 6 to 

 7.35 marks (100 pounds of potatoes and $0.75 to $0.92, respectively. 

 These figures are based on prewar conditions.). Varieties rich in pro- 

 tein may even be fed exclusively and produce gains. It is better, how- 

 ever, to supplement potato rations with feeding stuffs rich in protein — 

 milk for little pigs, and later on bran, then cracked grain, oil cake, fish 

 meal with thresher chaff, etc. Little pigs receive 1 pound as daily ra- 

 tions, fattening hogs 12 to 20 pounds. Larger rations impart an insipid 

 taste and a soft, smeary consistency to the meat and bacon. They also 

 affect the firmness of the bones (halisteresis). For all swine the po- 

 tatoes should be cooked or steamed. 



Long-continued storage results in no inconsiderable loss of nutrient 

 substances. In order to increase their keeping qualities and protect 

 them from loss during transportation, the practice of drying has been 

 resorted to for a number of years. This has become of importance 

 for the commercial as well as for the home-used product. 



lOPotato rapid mast for swine; 100 lbs. increase in live weight required: 



Peas 199 lbs. 



Fish meal „1|1 lbs. 



Potatoes, steamed 878 lbs. 



Cost of additional commercial feeding stuffs: 



Peas— 199 x $0.02125 $4,229 



Fish meal— 15.1 x $0.0275 0.415 



Total $4,644 



Receipts for 100 lbs. pork, live weight 11.250 



Deduct cost of above feed 4.644 



Gross gain on 878 lbs. potatoes 6.606 



Gross gain on 100 lbs. potatoes • • •. 0.752 



The net proceeds are obtained by substracting interest or cost of rent of buildings, attendance, 



preparation of feed, losses, risk, sales commission, veterinary service, loss of pigs, etc. These 



expenses are subject to considerable variation on different farms. 



Keeping pigs in the open: ocoik.. 



Dry yeast 85.2 lbs. 



Barley feed „17-8 lbs. 



Potatoes, steamed 990.0 lbs. 



Extra expenses: ^- ,.-r 



Dry yeast— 85.2 x $0.0275 ^H«« 



Barley feed— 17.8 x $0.01875 0.33375 



Total $2.67625 



Receipts for 100 lbs. live weight ^U'lf/i-je 



Less above expenses . . .' .-s.o/o^s 



Gross receipts for 990 lbs. potatoes ^no?Q7« 



Gross receipts for 100 lbs. potatoes u.yie/3 



Note: The original figures were given in Marks and Kilograms, which accounts for the ex- 

 tended fractions. — Translator. 



