92 SWINE GEORGE E. DAY. 



Relation of Live Weight to Economy of Gain. 



In various experiments, it has been shown that the amount 

 of meal required for a pound of gain in weight steadily 

 increases as the pig becomes heavier. The experiments 

 with pure-bred swine at the Ontario Agricultural College 

 brought out this point quite clearly, as the following state- 

 ment shows. 



Meal Requirevl for 

 Live Weight of Hogs. lootb. Increase in Weight. 



54 to 82 pounds 310 pounds 



82 to 115 pounds 375 pounds 



115 to 14S pounds - - - 438 pounds 



14810 170 pounds 455 pounds 



Prof. W. A. Henry in his book, "Feeds and Feeding," 

 gives a ver}- interesting table under this head which he 

 compiled from the results of many experiment stations. 

 This table indicates that hogs weighing from 150 to 200 

 pounds require 482 pounds of meal for 100 pounds gain in 

 weight ; from 200 to 250 pounds, 498 pounds of meal ; and 

 from 250 to 300 pounds, 511 pounds of meal. It will be 

 seen from these figures that the weight at which the 

 Canadian packer wants the hog is just about the limit of 

 profitable feeding. 



Correctives. 



Swine appear to have a craving for what might be called 

 "unnatural substances." This is especially true of hogs 

 that are kept in confinement, which will eat greedily such 

 substances as charcoal, ashes, mortar, soft coal, rotten wood, 

 etc. It is probable that some of these substances are not 

 good for hogs, but there is no doubt that charcoal and wood 

 ashes have a beneficial effect, the former being greatly 

 relished. It is good practice to supply charcoal, especially 

 during the winter months. If charcoal is not available, a 

 very good mixture to keep constantly before the pigs in 

 small troughs made for the purpose, can be made up of one 

 part of sulphur and about ten parts of wood ashes. If 

 ground charcoal is used instead of the ashes., it is rather 



