84 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



have been fattened. The bureau undertook to aid in having these 

 liogs utilized as feeders, in cooperation with the Bureau of Markets, 

 the live-stock markets, the various State extension forces, and local 

 organizations. 



Two methods were used. Oae Avas to have a representative visit 

 the various stoclq^ards and make arrangements to have the feeder 

 hogs received, sorted, vaccinated, and. disinfected. Then by pub- 

 licity campaigns and correspondence, farmers desiring feeder hogs 

 were informed when shipments of such animals could be expected 

 and were invited to come and select their feeders. The other method 

 was for the county agent to procure lists of farmers having feeder 

 hogs for sale and send them to the State director of extension. In- 

 quiries for feeder hogs were also sent to the extension office, and 

 purchaser and seller were thus brought together. While definite 

 statistics are not available, it is certain that more than 100,000 

 feeders were shipped into the Corn Belt as a result of this cam- 

 paign. 



FISHERY BY-PRODUCTS AS HOG FEED. 



For several years the Animal Husbandry Division has been co- 

 operatiLig with the Bureau of Fisheries in studying the use of fish 

 meal as a protein feed for swine. As a hog feed this material 

 has been found to be equal to high-grade tankage, of which the 

 supply is inadequate. During the year a new product known as 

 shrimp bran was studied. The results of tests with this product as 

 compared with fish meal, the remainder of the ration being shelled 

 corn and middlings, were very favorable. 



MEAT CURING. 



The abattoir at the Beltsville farm was extensively used during the 

 year for the study of methods of curing pork, particularly from the 

 standpoint of home consumption on the farm. An exhibit of prod- 

 ucts cured at the Beltsville abattoir was made at the National Swine 

 Show and at the International Live Stock Exhibition. Proceeds of 

 sales of meat from the abattoir amounted to $4,788.47. 



FEEDING GARBAGE TO HOGS. 



A representative of the division visited various parts of the coun- 

 try ia studying methods of garbage disposal by hog feeding. The 

 results are being prepared for publication. 



SHEEP AND GOAT INVESTIGATIONS. 



FARM-SHEEP INVESTIGATIONS. 



Experimental work with farm flocks of sheep is carried on at the 

 bureau's farms at Beltsville, Md., and Middlebury, Vt. 



At Beltsville a study is being made of specialized intensive sheep 

 raising with complete reliance upon forage crops for summer pas- 

 turage. In 1916 a 30-acre area did not produce sufficient forage 

 to feed satisfactorily 44 Southdown ewes and 33 lambs. This field 

 is now capable of furnishing sufficient summer feed for 100 ewes 

 with their lambs. The improvement is due in part to the application 



