52 Pork Production 



but quite leafy, while the alfalfa was of the third and fourth 

 cuttings and choice in grade. The hay fed in racks was 

 in the long condition. The molasses used was ordinary 

 black strap, which was fed by diluting and sprinkling 

 on the cut clover. The gilts selected were in a thrifty 

 growing condition, and averaged approximately 210 

 pounds at the beginning of the experiment. The test 

 covered a period of 140 days, beginning with the start 

 of the breeding season and continuing to the middle of the 

 farrowing season. 



The best rations fed in this experiment, as measured 

 by the vigor and condition of the pigs farrowed and the 

 weight of the pigs at birth, were in lots, II, III, and VII, 

 the first two receiving with their corn meat-meal in differ- 

 ent proportions, and the last alfalfa hay in a rack. The 

 gilts in these lots also made the most rapid gains. The 

 feed cost of each pig at birth was lowest in the lots receiving 

 meat-meal. 



The disastrous results of exclusive corn feeding to bred 

 gilts are here demonstrated, and also, different methods 

 of balancing this corn. The benefits derived from feed- 

 ing a small amount of high grade meat-meal or tankage, 

 as shown in this and other tests, are due to the extreme 

 richness of these meat products in flesh and bone-forming 

 substances. It is also a matter of considerable practical 

 importance to know that clover or alfalfa fed in a rack, 

 if of fine quality, will be eaten in sufficient amounts 

 apparently to balance the corn or other grains. 



Other protein supplements. 



In addition to tankage or meat-meal and linseed-oil 

 meal, other commercial feeds of the same class are exten- 

 sively used to balance home-grown rations for pregnant 



