Investigations ivith Swine. 



503 



at 0.8 lb. for pigs under 50 lbs. each, and gradually increased until 

 those weighing 250 lbs. showed a daily gain of 1.5 lbs. The last 

 column show^s that pigs weighing less than 50 lbs. each gained 100 

 lbs. for every 293 lbs, of feed or feed equivalent consumed, and that 

 the quantity of feed required for 100 lbs. gain steadily increased as 

 the pigs became larger, until at 300 lbs. weight it required 535 lbs. 

 of feed to make 100 lbs. of gain. The great economy of young, grow- 

 ing pigs over older and more mature ones for making gain from a 

 given quantity of feed is plainly brought out by the table. It should 

 not be forgotten, however, that the flesh of the young pig contains 

 much more water and usually less fat than that of more mature 



820. Danish studies of feed and gain. — The following table shows 

 the grain or its equivalent required for 100 lbs. of gain as found in 

 studies with 355 animals in 16 experiments by the Copenhagen (Den- 

 mark) Station.^ These trials were with pigs ranging from 35 to 

 315 lbs., live weight: 



We notice a steady increase in the feed required to produce 100 

 lbs. of gain as the weight of the animals increased. Pigs weighing 

 over 275 lbs. required nearly twice as much feed for 100 lbs. of in- 

 crease as those weighing from 35 to 75 lbs. 



821. Grinding grain. — At the Wisconsin Station- during each of 

 10 consecutive winters the author, at first alone and later with Otis, 

 fed ground corn in comparison with shelled corn to fattening pigs 

 during periods ranging from 63 to 98 days each. Iowa No. 3, year- 

 old shelled corn was used, part of which was ground in a buhrstone 

 mill to the usual fineness, while part was fed unground, as shelled 

 corn. Since pigs do not thrive on corn alone, in all cases the ration 

 was made up of one-third wheat middlings and two-thirds ground 

 or shelled corn. The mixed ground corn and middlings were fed 

 wet with a small quantity of water, while the shelled corn was fed 

 dry and alone, the middlings having first been fed as a slop. Salt 



iEpt.30,1895. 



Ept. 1906. 



