General View 7 



foods necessarily make up the major part of his ration. 

 The initial cost of the pig at birth is much less than it is 

 for the calf or lamb, and the cost of the subsequent gains, 

 whether measured in pounds of digestible nutrients or in 

 dollars and cents, is in favor of the pig. The figures given 

 below represent the average amount of feed required to 

 produce 100 pounds of gain during the market-finishing 

 period of steers, lambs and pigs: 



1000-lb. Fattenmg steer . . 800 lb. grain and 475 lb. 



legume hay. 

 65-lb. Fattening lamb . . 400 lb. grain and 500 lb. 



legume hay. 

 200-lb. Fattening pig . . 450 lb. grain and no hay. 



When to this is added the ability of the pig rapidly to 

 convert into pork kitchen garbage, the undigested corn in 

 the droppings of cattle, damaged grains, and dairy by- 

 products, a still stronger statement of his efficiency and 

 economy could be made. 



4. It does not require much time to get a start in the 

 hog business. The large number of pigs produced in each 

 litter, the relatively short gestation period, the possibility 

 of raising two litters annually, and the rapidity with which 

 the gilts attain breeding age contribute to this result. 

 The initial investment in starting a herd of hogs is less 

 than with other classes of stock because fewer females 

 will sufiice. The length of time between periods of heavy 

 and light production is shorter for hogs than for cattle or 

 sheep. A shortage of meat consequently can be met 

 more promptly with pork than with other meats. 



5. Pigs can be sold at weights anywhere from 175 to 

 350 pounds with little sacrifice in price. This means that 

 the feeder is comparatively free to take advantage of a 



