Methods of Feeding on Forage 195 



when the analyses are made at the stages of growth when 

 eaten by the pigs. Rape is shown here to contain a 

 larger proportion of protein to carbohydrates than does 

 medium red clover, and as much as alfalfa. Blue-grass, 

 green rye, oats, and green wheat when grazed while young 

 and before jointing would appear to be in the same class 

 as rape. With advancing maturity, however, these crops, 

 excepting rape, rapidly lose their protein nature and be- 

 come as fattening in their proportions as corn. 



The younger the pig, other things being equal, the more 

 protein does his system require. A forage supplying 

 sufficient protein to balance corn for fall pigs weighing 

 more than 100 pounds might require the addition of some 

 supplement for spring pigs weighing less than 100 pounds. 

 For the same reason, pigs farrowed in the spring require 

 less protein in the late summer than early in the summer. 



When pigs are given a full ration of corn on forage, 

 they eat less forage both absolutely and relatively than 

 when the grain ration is limited to a three-fourths or 

 a half ration. The more intensive the grain feeding, 

 therefore, the greater the necessity of adding some meat- 

 meal, middlings, and the like, to the grain fed. When 

 yoimg pigs are fed only a half grain ration on alfalfa, 

 it is very doubtful whether a supplement is warranted; 

 but when given a full feed of grain on alfalfa, a protein 

 supplement might be profitable. 



EXPERIMENTAL FEEDING TEIALS 



A consideration of practical feeding tests, however, 

 is necessary properly to supplement our limited knowl- 

 edge of the composition of the different forage crops and 

 the other factors involved. The advisability of giving 



