234 FEEDING AND MANAGEMENT 



purpose during the summer. The feeder has a wide range of 

 feeds to choose from, and if he understands something of their 

 nature, he should have no difficulty in compounding a ration 

 which will give satisfaction. 



The aim should be to develop bone and muscle during the 

 early stages of growth, and, while the pigs should be thrifty 

 and sleek in the hair, they should not be fed in such a way as to 

 overload them with fat. (Fig. 52.) This is especially true 

 of pigs which are intended for breeding purposes, and which 

 should be carried right through to breeding age upon feeds 

 which stimulate growth and general vigor rather than fat, A 

 reasonable amount of fat is not objectionable, but the develop- 

 ment of the frame, the muscular system, and the vital organs 

 must not be neglected, if a satisfactory breeding animal is to 

 be produced. Variety in. feeds and plenty of exercise are very 

 essential features in raising an animal that will possess all- 

 round development. 



Cost of Raising Pigs. The Ontario Agricultural College 

 obtained some interesting figures relative to the cost of raising 

 young pigs until six weeks old, at which age they are commonly 

 weaned. 



Feeds were valued as follows : Meal of all kinds, including 

 bran and middlings, $20.00 per ton: roots, $2.00 per ton; 

 skim-milk, 15 cents per 100 pounds. 



It is assumed that the sow raises two litters a year, and that 

 'she nurses each litter six weeks. This would leave about nine 

 and one-quarter months during the year that the sow would not 

 be nursing pigs, and the cost of maintaining the sow during 

 the time she is dry is estimated at 75 cents per month, it being 

 assumed that the 'sow is fed as economically as possible during 

 this time. The maintenance during the nine and one-quarter 

 months at 75 cents per month amounts to $6.94, or, in round 



