404 



THE ESSENTIALS OF AGRICULTURE 



was the best of the rations tested, and corn alone gave poorer 

 results than any of the others. Wheat middlings as a rule is 

 slightly higher in feeding value than is shorts. When tankage 

 or meat meal is fed, only the 6o-per-cent grade should be bought. 

 Linseed meal, on account of its lower protein content, is not 



_ so valuable a feed for 

 young hogs that are 

 being fattened as tank- 

 age, but because of its 

 laxative effect it is of 

 equal value when fed in 

 moderate amounts to 

 brood sows. 



Skim milk and butter- 

 milk are among the 

 most valuable supple- 

 ments to corn, and 

 should be fed in the 

 proportion of about 

 three pounds of milk to 

 one pound of corn. Soy 

 beans, peas, Spanish 

 peanuts, and cull beans 

 are rich in protein and 

 in many instances can 

 be harvested by the 

 hogs. The value of 

 alfalfa hay for growing 

 and fattening hogs is 

 well established by experiments (Fig. 205) and farm practice, 

 and when suitable concentrated protein supplements are not 

 available, it will pay to feed corn and hay instead of corn alone. 

 536. The best hog pasturage. Alfalfa makes the best hog 

 pasture (Fig. 206). An acre of alfalfa will carry from ten to 

 twenty hogs during the pasture season. When pasturing this 

 crop it should be allowed to mature at least two hay crops during 



FIG. 205. Full brothers fed in different ways 



The small pig was fed corn alone ; the large pig 

 was fed corn and protein 



