12 



BULLETIN 488, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



from the others. In 1014 the average yield from the harvested plats 

 was 6.53 tons and in 1915 only 4.47 tons per acre. The hogs used in 

 the experiments during 1015 -were of very much better quality than 

 those used in 1014. This may explain why the returns in 1015, not- 

 withstanding the damage done to the alfalfa, were equal to those of 

 1014. 



The first period extended from April 26 to June 30, or a total of 

 60 days. The shotes used were farrowed during the fall and late 

 summer of the previous year and weighed an average of 108 pounds 

 when the experiment began. The pigs used during the second 

 period, which began June 30, were pure-bred Duroc-Jerseys. They 

 were reared on the experiment farm, where they were farrowed dur- 

 ing April and the early part of Ma}^. They weighed an average of 

 33 pounds when the experiment began. Though small, they were in 

 good, thrifty condition. When the cool weather of autumn came on, 

 the alfalfa made less growth, which made it necessary to take out 

 hogs at different times. The experiment closed September 27. 



Notwithstanding the fact that the summer of 1015 was very back- 

 ward and cool, the returns from alfalfa pastures were practically 

 the same as in 1014. The hogs used in 1015 were smaller and a very 

 much better class of stock than those used in 1014, when returns 

 from the first period were reduced by cholera. Better stock and 

 freedom from sickness in 1015 apparently offset the low yield of 

 alfalfa in that year. The second period in 1015 gave higher returns 

 for both grain and pasture, and also cheaper gains than were se- 

 cured in the first period. It is generally true that the smaller the 

 hogs, other things being equal, the more economical the gains. 



A summary of the results of the two periods of 1015 is given in 

 Table IV, in which the data have been calculated to an acre basis. 



Tarle IV. — Results obtained by feeding si.r lots of hogs on alfalfa pasture, 

 supplemented with varying quantities of grain, at the Scottsbluff Experiment 

 Farm during two periods in 1915. 



Items of comparison. 



Total pain nor acre pounds. 



Average daily pain per acre do. . . 



Grain fed do. . . 



drain per pound of gain do. . . 



Gain per 100 pounds of grain do. . . 



Financial statement: 



Net returns per acre of pasture 



]>aily not returns per acre of pasture... 

 Net returns for 100 pounds of grain 



(pasture at SI2.84 per acre) 



Cost per 100 pounds of gain ( pasture at 



S15 per acre) 



Equivalent paid for hay, per ton 



Lot 1, no 



grain. 



612 



4.0 



None. 



$42. 84 

 .28 



2.45 

 9.58 



Lot 2, 1 



per cent 



corn. 



1,456 



9.5 

 2,752 

 1.89 

 53.0 



$72. 48 

 .47 



3. 06 

 16. 21 



Lot 3, 2 



per cent 



corn. 



2,976 

 19.3 



7. (Us 

 2.53 



39.5 



$132. 91 



3.04 

 29.54 



Lot 3a, 2 



per cent 



corn. 



2, 760 

 17.9 



6,796 

 2.46 



40.7 



$120.49 



.78 



3.17 

 26. 95 



Lot 4, 2 

 per cent 

 barley. 



2,772 

 18.0 



6, 728 

 2.43 



41.1 



$126. 76 

 .82 



2.97 

 28. 13 



Lot 5, 3 



per cent 



corn. 



1.292 



27.9 



12,168 



2.83 



35.3 



$170. 24 

 1.10 



3.38 

 38.07 



