148 SOUTHERN PORK PRODUCTION 



to calculate an accurately balanced ration for any given 

 herd of swine. Thus, the mathematical calculation of a 

 ration is an exact science, for it is possible to figure 

 accurately the feed requirements of the animal. 



Of course, under exceptional conditions it may be well 

 to calculate the rations for swine where the feeding con- 



Self-feeders are becoming more common in the South. 

 Photo by Earl Hostettler of North Carolina. 



sists for the most part of lot feeding. However, investi- 

 gations have shown that under average southern condi- 

 tions quantity of food is more often deficient than quality. 

 Hence, the best plan is to make sure of the quantity and 

 provide for the quality as accurately as possible. To 

 facilitate this, our swine feeds may be classified into 

 carbohydrate, balanced and protein feeds. In feeding, it 

 will suffice if sufficient quantities of feeds are given and 

 if a carbohydrate feed is fed along with a protein feed, 

 or vice versa, while the balanced foodstuffs may consti- 

 tute a portion of the ration without necessity of bal- 

 ancing. If swine rations are calculated in this crude 

 manner, it will be a step in the right direction and will 



