976 CYCLOPEDIA OF LIVE STOCK AND COMPLETE STOCK DOCTOR. 



raised pigs, farrowed in March, that in the succeeding January killed to 

 dress up to 380 pounds, and have turned them off several times, that, at 

 ten months old, would average 300 pounds alive. 



To put the thing in a nut-shell, it is altogether cheaper to feed three 

 pigs to 200 pounds each at nine months old, than it is to feed a hogthree 

 years to make him weigh 600 pounds ; and again, if the pigs are worth 

 six cents a pound alive, it is $3(5 ; the 600 pound hog will not then bring 

 more than five cents, or $30, and has eaten more corn than the three 



lighter hogs. 



XV. Economy of Pull Feeding from Birth. 



It should be remembered that it takes a certain percentage of the 

 food to supply daily animal waste. The young animal converts into flesh 

 more of the food given than a full grown one ; no matter how long the 

 animal is kept the daily waste goes on constantly. Hence, it should re- 

 quire no argument to show that. the true economy is to feed stroLg from 

 birth, if the object be simply to sell the animal when fat. When 

 fat, sell at once, unless the state of the market is such that it wil'j pay to 

 hold for a time. Above all, do not allow the animal to fall away at any 

 stage of growth, since it must be brought '.vi,ck at an increased cost of 

 food over that originally given, to bring it '.o tLfc condition at which it be- 

 gan to fail. 



XVI. Mixed Rations for Hogs. 



To determine the feeding value of a mixed grain ration as comj. ired 

 with one of a single kind of grain, numerous experiments have been con- 

 ducted, and in every case the results favor a mixed ration. This is one 

 strong reason why a superior quality of pork can be produced in the 

 Northwest, where such a large variety of grains and forage plants can be 

 grown. 



In corn-growing sections there is a disposition to feed corn almost ex- 

 chisively on account of its cheapness, its fattening qualities, and the relish 

 with which it is eaten. While in many sections we can not grow corn 

 successfully as a grain crop, we can grow a long list of other cereals, such 

 as oats, barley, wheat, millet and rye; and we can grow them cheaply 

 with very little danger of failure. As no artificial fertilizer is needed to 

 grow these crops in the Northwest, the cost of production is low enough 

 to make them cheap stock foods. A mixture of chopped wheat, oats, and 

 shorts will give better results than a single grain of any sort, not excepting 

 corn. A mixture of this kind is usually cheaper than wheat alone, and 

 will produce better gains. Chopped oats should not be fed alone. The 

 hulls interfere verv^ materially with its value as food for hogs. They do 

 not enjoy the hulls, and will refuse to eat the oats quicker than any other 



