1886 ] 



PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 



27 



cents. The influence of a severe winter, and thus gradually 

 a lower temperature, during the second experiment (No- 

 vember to March) has no doubt exerted a depressing in- 

 fluence on the total results, when compared with the results 

 of the first experiment (May to September). 



Number of Pounds of Dry Matter in Feed required to produce One 

 Pound of Dressed Pork. 



Aside from the stated facts, there are some other points of 

 a more general character deserving of mention in this con- 

 nection, which are not infrequently underestimated in the 

 feeding of pigs for the market. 



First. A careful preparation of the feed for young pigs, 

 with reference to a higher nutritious character at the begin- 

 ning, and to a gradually increasing bulk for the proper dis- 

 tention of the digestive organs, to make them hereafter good 

 eaters. A liberal supply of milk, with a gradual increase of 

 meal, beginning with from one to two ounces of meal per 

 quart, has served us well. 



Second. A timely closing up of the fattening process in 

 the interest of profits for the best returns of the feed are ob- 

 tained in the earlier periods of growth ; in our case, as a 

 rule, profits were doubtful after the animal reached a weight 

 of from 180 to 200 lbs. There may be exceptions to this 

 observation when the cost of feed is low, and the market 

 price of dressed pork very high, — a circumstance not often 

 happening. Our dressed pork was sold at 6| cents per 

 pound. 



A good illustration in this direction may be furnished by 

 a detailed record of actual results in the case of pigs Nos. 

 10, 11 and 12, of Lot B (pigs fed with skim milk and meal). 



