Management and Feeding in Winter 57 



6 per cent might be better than 8. Furthermore, the 

 supply of protein in the Northwest might be purchased 

 more cheaply in mill feeds than in tankage, in which case 

 12 per cent linseed-oil meal or 25 per cent middlings or 

 shorts should be used. In dairy districts, where only 

 cream or butter are sold, skim-milk or buttermilk would 

 probably supply the necessary protein in cheaper form 

 than any of the other supplements listed. In the South, 

 where the hog-man may have the advantage of forage 

 crops a good part of the winter, a ration selected from 

 Group II would probably most nearly fit his conditions. 

 In Group III are suggested combinations for those condi- 

 tions when good hay, roots, or other succulent feeds 

 are not available. Instead of using a single grain, the 

 conditions may warrant a combination of two or more. 

 When the cost is the same, a mixture is commonly to be 

 preferred. 



A ration more rich in protein is required by mature sows 

 during the latter stages of the gestation period because 

 the bone and muscular tissues of the young pigs are being 

 formed more rapidly than in the earlier stages. There 

 is an increasing and more or less regular demand for 

 these growing constituents from breeding to farrowing 

 time. If the ration used during the first part of the 

 winter is gradually changed to the one selected for the 

 last six weeks, the actual demands of the mature sow will 

 be met approximately. 



Bred gilts under a year old and yearling sows need a 

 larger proportion of protein in their rations than recom- 

 mended in the above table for mature sows. Partic- 

 ularly is this true for the first part of the pregnancy period. 

 The gilt, in addition to the requirements for maintenance 

 and the growth of her embryo litter, must have food for 



