472 SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.—M. 
at which the pig should attain these proportions differs in each case. The 
demand is for a carcase with thick muscular development, giving a deep 
‘eye’ and thick streak with a low proportion of fat along the back. If the 
British farmer is to obtain a larger share of the market for meat in this 
country, he should be prepared to supply a produce of the highest quality, 
and be paid for it on this basis, for otherwise the large cities will not support 
him in this undertaking. If subsidies are to be used to help the British 
producer of meat, they should be given on a quality basis. The logical 
course of procedure would be to divide carcases into weight classes and then 
to subdivide these into quality grades. 
Dr. C. CROWTHER.—The protein requirements of the pig (10.30). 
The amount of protein that will satisfy the protein needs of an animal 
will vary according to the ‘ biological value ’ of the food protein, and other 
defects of the ration, such as defective vitamin and mineral supply. 
It will also increase if the supply of fat and carbohydrate is inadequate 
to cover the energy needs of the animal. 
It will also vary according to the size and condition of fatness of the 
animal, its activity, and its rate of growth on full feed. 
The protein requirement of the non-pregnant sow for maintenance is 
given as 60 gms. per 100 kg. live weight, or 120 gms. (4 oz.) for a sow weigh- 
ing 440 lbs. This is covered by 4 lbs. daily of a ration of equal parts of 
sharps and ground cereals. 
For the pregnant sow the requirement rises from 230 gms. daily for the 
first 5 or 6 weeks to 260 gms. for the middle period, and 320 gms. for the 
last 5 or 6 weeks. ‘These amounts are covered by 4+ lbs., 42 lbs., and 6 lbs. 
respectively of the cereal ration plus 5 per cent. of protein concentrate, or 
about 2-3 lbs. less than these amounts where the sow is on good grass. 
The average needs of the lactating sow for the first 4 weeks are assessed 
at 850 gms. of digestible protein per day, or 12-13 lbs. of food containing 
15 per cent. of digestible protein. 
The experimental evidence as to the protein requirements of the growing 
pig is reviewed and a scale of requirements proposed ranging from 150 gms. 
digestible protein per day for a 44-lb. pig to 240-250 gms. for the 200-lb. 
_pig. 
Where growth rate is not high a lower standard of protein supply will 
suffice. Harper Adams experiments are quoted in support. In these no 
improvement in either rate of growth or leanness of carcass was obtained 
by raising the protein content of the ration above a level which for the 
lower stages of live weight is appreciably lower than the Scandinavian 
standards. 
Capt. J. Gotpinc and Dr. S. K. Kon.—Vitamin A in relation to pig 
feeding (11.0). 
In two pig feeding experiments, started in May 1933, at the National 
Institute for Research in Dairying, the control animals received a practical 
ration consisting of barley meal 50 parts, middlings 35 parts, soya bean 
meal 8 parts, meat meal 5 parts, ground limestone 1# parts, and salt } part ; 
the experimental animals receiving dried milk addenda. Several pigs died 
and others exhibited marked symptoms of ill-health, later found to be 
associated with a lack of vitamin A in the diet. All these pigs received the 
control diet only. 
In a third experiment on 36 pigs, the symptoms were further investigated 
and are described and illustrated by photographs. 
