170 SWINE 



assimilative functions to their greatest and most econom- 

 ical action as well as to supply protein metabolism. 



SELECTION OF FEEDS. 



Feeds should be selected primarily with the end in view 

 of furnishing the proper quantity of digestible nutrients 

 in a palatable form as follows: Water, protein, carbo- 

 hydrate, ether extract, mineral matter and also bulk. 

 While some feeds may have values other than those of 

 the content of digestible nutrients, it is considered that if 

 a pig is properly fed these become of minor importance. 

 Home-grown feeds should be used where possible, but 

 when these are not available commercial feeds may be 

 substituted. While many of the commercial feeds are all 

 right and as good, perhaps, as those that may be grown 

 on the farm, the profit in general is greater from home- 

 grown feeds. Furthermore, the supply of commercial 

 feed is limited and available only to a comparatively 

 small number of feeders. 



Pasture should always be made use of whenever avail- 

 able because it not only furnishes feeds in the most pala- 

 table and cheapest form, but also mineral matter, and pro- 

 vides exercise. The latter perhaps is of the greatest im- 

 portance and when not available on pasture it should be 

 supplied by some other means. 



A variety of feeds should be grown which should be 

 properly selected from the different groups, being sure to 

 include enough of the nitrogenous concentrates to supply 

 the necessary amounts of protein for the proper develop- 

 ment of the pig. Some of the carbonaceous concentrates 

 such as corn, rye, barley or rice, may be grown in almost 

 any country where swine are produced. Nitrogenous 

 roughages such as clover and alfalfa may also be grown 

 in almost all places. Among the nitrogenous concentrates 



