476 DOMESTIC ANIMALS, DAIRYING, ETC. 



Hogs fed a half grain ration on clover and alfalfa pasture 

 made, in proportion to the grain fed, much faster gains and much 

 more economic gains that those fed a full grain ration. (Mon. B. 

 73.) In pork production economic use may be made of pasture 

 in connection with a full grain ration. This is shown not only by the 

 average results of all the experiments conducted but also by every 

 point of comparison in each separate test. The average shows the 

 gains of the pasture sets to be 33 per cent the higher and to have been 

 made on 10 per cent less grain. The average results of four seasons' 

 experiments show quite conclusively that mixed pasture is not bene- 

 ficial to pigs having a full supply of grain and skim milk. Pasture 

 with grain rations, averaging all the experiments, gave slightly better 

 results than green stuff cut and fed in connection with grain in pens 

 and yards. Where lands are cheap and labor comparatively dear, 

 it seems advisable to follow the pasture method. (Utah B. 70.) 



An extensive use of pasture should often be made in pork produc- 

 tion, especially when grain is very high in price. With hogs upon 

 pasture the proposition is very different from dry lot feeding, and it 

 is often possible, by feeding relatively light grain rations, to induce 

 ihogs to eat a much larger amount of grass than when heavier grain 

 rations are supplied, and thus effect a marked economy in produc- 

 tion. Marked economy in cost of gains resulted from the use of a 

 light grain ration in place of a heavy grain ration for swine on pas- 

 ture. If a cheaper feed may be used in place of the grain, it is often 

 possible to lessen very materially the cost of pork production by feed- 

 ing a light grain ration. If concentrates are to be used exclusively, 

 the use of a heavy grain ration would be advisable, unless the aim of 

 the feeder is to hold the stock in a low or moderate condition in order 

 to secure cheaper feeds for fattening later. It is important for feeders 

 to understand market conditions as well as efficiency of feeds. The 

 rations that produce the most rapid gains are not necessarily the most 

 profitable feeds to use. On the other hand, rations that produce cheap 

 gains may produce these gains so slowly that the profits will be very 

 email. (O. B. 209.) 



Roots. In some form they are a desirable food for pigs in win- 

 ter, as an addition to the grain ration, in prompting healthful activity 

 of the digestive organs and acting as an appetizer. Sugar beets, arti- 

 chokes or carrots would no doubt serve this purpose better than man- 

 gels. They are more expensive in view of greater cost of production, 

 but this difference is not important. They, however, contain enough 

 more sugar to make them somewhat more relished by the pigs than 

 are the mangels. (Ind. B. 79.) 



The real value of succulent food for swine cannot be measured 

 by simple gains in weights of pigs given such food. Undoubtedly 

 where animals are confined to a pure grain diet, the digestive tract is 

 more torpid and sickness is more likely to occur than when succu- 

 lent food is given. Then the digestive organs are more active and 

 natural in movement and the body is better prepared to resist dis- 

 ease than when pure grain food is fed. The influence of this succu- 

 lent food on sows in pig or sucking pigs cannot be measured by the 



