MAIZE GRAIN AS FOOD 729 



given, as compared with feeding hogs in the lot without CHAP, 

 pasture" (Henry, 1). y iv. 



Henry (1) found the saving of feed effected by allowing 

 pigs to follow steers feeding on maize or maize meal amounted 

 to 52 per cent in the case of maize, and 3 per cent in the case 

 of maize meal, over the amount required to feed pigs in the 

 pen. The amount of maize required to produce 100 lbs. gain 

 was found by the Illinois Station to vary from 333 to 808 lbs. 

 with an average of 534 lbs. The average daily gain was about 

 I'l lbs. Eleven pounds increase, live weight, is considered in 

 the United States to be a satisfactory return from a bushel (56 

 lbs.) of maize. 



For feeding trials with gluten meal and maize meal for pigs, 

 see 11 672. 



689. Maize for Ostriches and Poultry. — Maize grain has 

 become an important item in the dietary of the domesticated 

 ostrich. In the districts in which ostrich growing is carried 

 on most extensively, icomparatively little maize is produced, 

 and considerable quantities are imported from those parts of 

 the country better suited to its production. One pound of 

 grain per day, per bird, is recommended by many ostrich 

 growers, and this amount is fed the year through. 



In England there is an extensive trade in maize for feeding 

 pheasants and poultry. For this purpose the small-grained 

 sorts, such as Odessa, Galatz, Bessarabia, and Cinquantino, are 

 preferred. This class of maize commands from 5d. to J\c\. 

 (rarely up to is. 8d.) per muid more in the London market 

 than the larger-grained classes. Unfortunately these types 

 are in South Africa poor yielders, and the extra price obtain- 

 able is not sufficient to compensate for the smaller crop. 



In warm climates maize seems to be too fat-forming a 

 food for poultry except in the winter months, and Mr. Bourlay, 

 the poultry expert of the Department of Agriculture of the 

 Union of South Africa, recommends that even then it should 

 not be used more than three times a week. A handful per 

 bird, given at night, is the usual ration. 



A Transvaal farmer once remarked to the writer: " I don't 

 sell my mielies, but give them to my wife. I tell her that a 

 bag of mielies will feed ten fowls ; she can at any time sell 

 those ten fowls for the table at is. 6d. apiece, which is 15s. in 



