30 



ply in the soil while the grain farmer must necessarily diminish 

 it unless he devotes a considerable part of his land to clover, cow 

 peas or some other intermediate crop. 



In answer to question 82 it was found that the use of commer- 

 cial fertilizers is not general among cattle feeders, while 96 per cent 

 of the replies to question 85, indicate that their soils are not only 

 maintaining their fertility but are actually increasing in production. 

 This brings out in a very forcible manner the fact that cattle feeding 

 is a certain and definite means of soil improvement. Further in- 

 formation was desired on this important phase of the subject so we 

 asked for the average value of the land devoted to this purpose, 

 which was reported as $97.55 per acre. The average value of all land 

 in the state is not over $60.00. which means that beef is being pro- 

 duced on land that is worth over one-half more per acre than the 

 average. 



HOGS A NECESSARY ADJUNCT TO BEEF CATTLE. 



In answer to the question " Do you find beef production profit- 

 able unless you consider hogs in connection ? " 12 per cent report 

 that it is, while 88 per cent report that it is not possible to feed cattle 

 profitably unless hogs follow. This is in accordance with the results 

 of the Experiment Station work, in which it has been determined 

 that unless the best of rations are used, it is impossible to derive a 

 profit except by the use of hogs in connection with cattle. The re- 

 plies state that the number of hogs used per steer is 1.5. This evi- 

 dently means that some feed in addition to that fed to steers is given 

 to hogs, as we find in our work that the waste will not support more 

 than one hog to a steer. The average age of hogs preferred by cattle 

 feeders, for following steers, is 5.1 months; the average weight, 

 92 Ibs. This would indicate that they prefer an active hog which 

 has not been crowded as the weight given presupposes such hogs 

 have been kept largely on a growing ration thus developing rather 

 "a large frame and a small amount of fat in proportion to the weight. 



Out of 634 answers to question 93, "Which breed of hogs is pre- 

 ferred ? " 400 indicated Poland China; 120 Duroc Jerseys; 53 Berk- 

 shires; 27 Chester Whites; 2 Hampshires and 6 0. 1. C. The others 

 expressed no preference. The average rate of gain per head on 

 hogs following cattle in the feed lot is reported as 1.4 Ibs. pei 

 day. This agrees with the answers to questions 91 and 92 as it is 

 only a growthy sort of a hog which is able to make so great a daily 

 gain in the cattle lots. 



IMPORTANT PROBLEMS DEMANDING ATTENTION. 



In answer to question 98, " What is the most important problem 



