240 FEEDING AND MANAGEMENT 
speaking, when pigs are about three months old a little corn or 
other grain may be introduced into their ration. Two parts of 
middlings and one part of corn meal or ground barley, mixed 
with skim-milk to form a slop, make an excellent ration for 
growing pigs. As the pigs grow older the proportion of grain 
to middlings may be increased, but at no time should they be 
fed exclusively or almost exclusively upon corn, because corn is 
a poor bone- and muscle-former. The importance of feeding 
supplementary feeds with corn has been pretty fully discussed 
under the work of experiment stations. The need of such feeds 
is most important during the early life. A few roots will be 
found most helpful in keeping young pigs healthy during the 
winter, and green feed of almost any kind will answer the 
purpose during the summer. The feeder has a wide range of 
feeds to choose from, and if he understands something of their 
nature, has no difficulty in compounding a satisfactory ration. 
The aim should be to develop bone and muscle during the 
early stages of growth, and, while the pigs should be thrifty 
and sleek in the hair, they should not be fed in such a way as to 
overload them with fat. (Fig. 53.) This is especially true 
of pigs which are intended for breeding purposes, and which 
should be carried right through to breeding age upon feeds 
which stimulate growth and general vigor rather than fat. A 
reasonable amount of fat is not objectionable, but the develop- 
ment of the frame, the muscular system, and the vital organs 
must not be neglected, if a satisfactory breeding animal is to 
be produced. Variety in feeds and plenty of exercise are very 
essential features in raising an animal that will possess all- 
round development. 
Cost of Raising Pigs.—The Ontario Agricultural College 
obtained some interesting figures relative to the cost of raising 
young pigs until six weeks old, at which age they are commonly 
weaned. 
Feeds were valued as follows: Meal of all kinds, including 
