Value of Various Feeding Stuffs for Figs. 



579 



in this line. TJnpublislied data secured by the -writer coincide 

 with these findings. It is possible that pigs may make satisfac- 

 tory gains on pastures alone, but no Station has yet shown that 

 they can do so, if we except Utah, where alfalfa was grazed. 



879. Rape forage. — At the Wisconsin Station, ^ Craig con- 

 ducted two trials with rape forage as a feed for swine, in prep- 

 aration for the final fattening period. In the first trial there 

 were twenty grade Poland-China pigs; in the second, thirty-eight 

 grade Chester Whites. In each case the pigs were divided into 

 two even lots, the first having a run in a rape field, with grain 

 additional, and the second, confined in a pen, receiving grain 

 only. The first trial lasted 76 days and the second 42 days, 

 during which time the feed consumed and the gains were as shown 

 in the following table: 



Feeding grain with and without rape forage — WiscoTidn Station. 



Summarizing the two trials and calling the gains equal, we 

 learn that .92 acres of rape saved 2,392 pounds of grain. This 

 shows one acre of rape equivalent to 2,600 pounds of grain in pig 

 ''. feeding. Since rape can be used as a catch crop, and costs but 

 two or three dollars an acre for seed and planting and nothing 

 for harvesting, the value of this crop in swine feeding is apparent. 

 (334-5) 



880. Droppings of corn-fed steers and pasture. — At the Illinois 

 Station, ^ Morrow grazed three yearling steers on a two- acre blue- 

 grass pasture, giving a full feed of corn additional. Two pigs were 



Rept. 1897. 



*Bul. 16. 



