Feeding and Care of Pigs 149 



full feeding, the forage increased the rate of gain, as shown 

 in Table XXXVI, more than 111 per cent. The tonic 

 effects of the succulence, the laxative properties of the 

 green feed, and the variety of proteins and mineral ele- 

 ments supplied seem to be responsible for a state of 

 health and thrift which insures greater capacity for the 

 digestion and assimilation of food. It is probable, also, 

 that the greater freedom and more exercise, and the more 

 healthful conditions generally, contribute materially to 

 this increased vigor. 



When feeding for the quickest development and the 

 earliest market, a ration that will stimulate rapid gains 

 is of the greatest importance. An extra gain of j pound 

 daily would ordinarily mean a saving of more than two 

 months' time in the production of a 225-pound shote. 

 (See page 218.) In the development of young boars 

 and gilts, the breeder with forage crops may secure rapid 

 gains without the dangers of forcing which would be 

 necessary in dry-lot feeding. 



2. Pigs which have been fed on forage crops during 

 the summer do better when placed in the dry lot than 

 those which have not had the advantage of green feeds. 

 The beneficial effects of the forage crops, in other words, 

 are not confined to the forage-feeding period alone, but 

 are noticeably maintained diu-ing the succeeding weeks 

 of dry-lot feeding. This is another reason why the 

 figures given in Table XXXIV do not represent the full 

 value of these crops. This desirable residual effect is 

 the result, no doubt, of the more vigorous state of health 

 brought about by the forage conditions and to the larger 

 capacity resulting from the consumption of the bulky 

 succulent feeds. 



3. When corn, or other grain, is very high or un- 



