Management and Feeding in Winter 43 



All three lots of sows were kept under identical condi- 

 tions as regards shelter, exercise, and the like. At the 

 beginning of the experiment, the ten sows in each lot were 

 as nearly like the sows of the other lots as it was possible 

 to make them. Variations in the results, especially the 

 weight, vigor, and condition of the pigs at birth, were 

 chiefly due, therefore, to the rations fed. 



These results speak for themselves. The birth weight 

 of the pigs from sows fed straight corn was nearly a half 

 pound lighter than that of the pigs from sows getting in 

 addition either meat-meal or linseed-oil meal. Chemical 

 analyses have revealed the deficiencies of corn in bone- 

 and muscle-building constituents, and the results of this 

 experiment are a striking demonstration of the same fact. 

 The starvation to which the embryo pigs in the corn-lot 

 were subjected was expressed not only in their small 

 size at birth, but also in the smaller proportion of strong 

 pigs and their thin condition of flesh. These differences 

 are especially significant since the size and value of a 

 pig crop for any year are limited by the thrift and vigor 

 of the pigs at birth. 



Although corn for pregnant sows is too fattening to 

 be safe when fed alone, or economical in the end, this 

 does not mean that it is not a desirable feed when properly 

 supplemented. It is the abuse of corn in the hands of 

 careless feeders, rather than its legitimate use, that has 

 caused many hog-men to condemn it for breeding stock. 



Other grains for pregnant sows. 



Outside the corn-belt, larger use is made of such grains 

 as oats, barley, emmer, and wheat, as the basis of the 

 sow's rations during the winter. Although these grains 

 possess a little more bone and muscle-building constitu- 



