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, includino- 



