92 Bai^n and Field Experiments in 1916 



Without considering the value of the manure on the credit 

 side, or any overhead charges such as interest on investment, 

 depreciation of plant, pasturage and taxes, there was a net loss 

 of a little over $200 for the year's operation. Allowing full 

 credit for the manure and omitting overhead charges would 

 show a credit balance of about $100. 



Careful attention has been given to all criticisms that have 

 been at all suggestive of better ways of handling the flock. 

 Although there seems to be no reason to expect more favorable 

 results than have been obtained in 1915-16, the experiment is be- 

 ing continued. The high prices for wool and lambs were favor- 

 able in 1915-16 and probably will be equally favorable this year. 

 Hay is worth only about two-thirds as much as in 1915-16. 

 Grain is some higher in cost, as also is labor. But on the whole 

 if the prices that are likely to prevail this year were substituted 

 for those that did prevail in 1915-16 the income would have 

 prettly nearly equalled the outgo without giving any credit 

 for the manure. Whenever an animal husbandry project will 

 pay all costs of food and care from the sales and the manure 

 is left as a profit it can be classed as a profitable enterprise. 

 For the production and conservation of manure is as truly an 

 asset in New England agriculture as for generations it has 

 been reckoned to be in European countries. 



ARE SWINE PROFITABLE IN WINTER ? 



In the experiment on the care of manure discussed beyond 

 it was necessary to l^eep it well worked over and at the same 

 time compacted so as to prevent losses from heating. It was 

 thought that swine might do the work at far less cost than man 

 labor. As shown below this surmise was correct, for instead 

 of having a labor bill to charge against the manure the swine 

 made a profit. 



A brood sow and 14 two-months old pigs were placed on 

 the manure December 1, 1915, and were kept there until June 

 7 , 1916. The swine were fed and handled as the superintendent 

 found convenient. That is, there was no definite program for 

 feeding decided upon and therefore it varied more or less from 

 time to time. Although experiments conducted at the Maine 

 Station 25 years ago make it doubtful if there is a profit in feed- 



