Feeding Experiments. 25 



Briefly, it would appear that on these short tests the value of 

 screenings lies not in its power to produce, but rather in its cheapness. 

 Whether the complete pulverized screenings or the apparently un- 

 desirable black seeds, cheap though they are, would prove economical 

 on an extended feeding period, and whether digestive disturbances or 

 the probable toxic effects of certain weed seed constituents might pre- 

 sent themselves, could not be ascertained within the necessary limits 

 of this test. 



Although no test was made of the elevator screenings with black 

 seeds removed in the experiments just reviewed, the inadvisability of 

 using black seeds as a food for dairy cows, is apparent. Aside from 

 their high percentage of crude fibre and the actual danger of digestive 

 derangements due to their use, black seeds are not only highly 

 unpalatable themselves, but are also able to render likewise any ration 

 or mixture of which they become a part. Elevator screenings with 

 the black seeds removed constitute a palatable and cheap foodstuff. 



SWINE. 



Objects of Experiment. — (1) To determine the value of the well- 

 balanced ration in the winter feeding of young pigs for market. 



(2) To compare this well-balanced ration with black seeds. 



(3) To determine the value of black seeds fed in conjunction 

 with roots and skim-milk, as compared with black seeds fed in water 

 only. 



(4) To determine the value of buckwheat screenings in swine 

 feeding. 



(5) To compare with the well-balanced ration, buckwheat screen- 

 ings, black seeds, with and without milk and roots, and the value of 

 complete elevator screenings in conjunction with feed flour (Ogilvie's 

 "Noxol"). 



Plan of Experiment. — All the lots were fed in the main piggery? 

 housed to best advantage for winter fee(iing. Lots of four each were 

 fed in duplicate. The following tables represent the totals and 

 averages for each lot and its duplicate. 



The first five lots of pigs received water, roots, and skim-milk 

 in the same quantities per pig. Lot 6, however, received no roots 

 or skim-milk, but only the black seeds and water. The object of this 

 was to determine whether or not the black seeds had a poisonous 

 effect upon young pigs, and whether they would supply sufiicient to 

 maintain life. 



Lot 1 (Yorkshires and Berkshires) received a grain ration com- 

 posed of: shorts, 3 parts; finely ground corn, 3 parts; and oil meal, 

 1 part. This is the standard meal mixture for this experiment, and is 

 termed "meal" throughout. 



Lot 2 (Yorkshires and Berkshires) were fed a mixture of: 

 meal, 1 part; and finely groimd black seeeds, 1 part. 



Lot 3 (Yorkshires, Berkshires and Tamworths) were fed finely 

 ground black seeds. 



Lot 4 (Yorkshires and Berkshires) were fed finely ground buck- 

 wheat screenings. 



