578 



Feeds and Feeding. 



was confined in a lot free from vegetation and fed com. All 

 were supplied with coal-slack, salt and water. The first period 

 in each trial lasted eight weeks and the second four weeks. The 

 averages for the four trials are given below: 

 Trials with pigs fed com on blue-grass pasture, or com only — lUi- 

 nois StatioTi. 



Total 

 gain. 



Com 

 fed. 



Corn per 

 100 U)9. 

 gain. 



Lots given half feed of com, on grass first 



period 



Fed full grain allowance, second period 



Average 



Lots given full feed of com on grass, first 



period 



Second period 



Lbs. 



605 

 463 



Lbs. 



2,190 

 2,076 



Lbs. 



433 

 448 



905 

 327 



4,217 

 1,796 



441 



465 

 549 



Average 



Lots given com with no grass, first period , 

 Second period 



791 

 224 



4,207 

 1,62.5 



507 

 532 

 725 



Average. 



629 



We learn from the above that the best returns were secured 

 when giving a half feed of corn on blue- grass pasture during the 

 first period of eight weeks, then following for the next four weeks 

 with a full feed of corn, the pigs still running on pasture. Under 

 these conditions 441 pounds of corn gave 100 pounds gain. Where 

 the pigs were given a full feed of corn at all times while on past- 

 ure, 507 pounds of corn were required for 100 pounds of gain. 

 The check lots fed in yards without grass required 629 pounds of 

 com for 100 pounds of gain. There was a saving of 30 per cent 

 when a half feed of corn was given on pasture, and of 20 per cent 

 when a full feed was given, as compared with feeding hogs in the 

 lot without pasture. 



878. Feeding pigs on pasture only. — The trials reported by Mills 

 (875) show that pigs may make fair gains on pasture alone when 

 alfalfa is the main forage plant. Morrow ^ reports that all at- 

 tempts to carry pigs on blue-grass pasture without feeding grain 

 resulted so unfavorably that he was forced to give up experiments 



» BuL 16, 111. Expt Sta. 



