THE YOUNG PIGS 



241 



bran and middlings, $20.00 per ton: roots, $2.00 per ton; 

 skim-milk, 15 cents per 100 pounds. 



It is assumed that the sow raises two litters a year, and that 

 ■she nurses each litter six weeks. This would leave about nine 

 and one-quarter months during the year that the sow would not 

 be nursing pigs, and the cost of maintaining the sow during 

 the time she is dry is estimated at 75 cents per month, it being 

 assumed that the 'sow is fed as economically as possible during 

 this time. The maintenance during the nine and one-quarter 

 months at 75 cents per month amounts to $6.94, or, in round 

 numbers, $7.00. Half of this amount, or $3.50, is charged 

 against each litter, in addition to the cost of feed consumed by 

 the sow and pigs before the pigs are weaned. Risk, interest on 

 investment, labor, and manure are left out of the calculation. 

 Twelve litters of pigs were used, which were weaned at six weeks 

 old in each case. 



The following table gives particulars of each litter: 



I'otal and Average Costs. — To arrive at the total cost of the 

 pigs at six weeks old, the service fee and half the cost of main- 

 taining the sow when dry are charged against the average cost 

 of maintaining the sow and litter for six weeks, making the total 

 cost as follows ; 

 16 



