The Cost of Producing Pork 359 



for example, means that the actual cost of producing 

 100 pounds of live hog was found to be equal to eleven 

 and fifty-one hundredths times the cost of a bushel of 

 com, when the system of management used was as given 

 in A. 



General observations. 



In interpreting the results of this study, it is important 

 to note the systems of management employed, the methods 

 of feeding practiced, and the prices charged for feed, 

 labor, and other expenses. It is particularly important 

 to recollect that the concentrated feeds were charged at 

 the rate of 1^ cents a pound, the roughages used having 

 been reduced to their concentrate equivalents according 

 to the valuations in the Scandinavian Feed Unit system. 



The conditions as a whole under which the experiments 

 were conducted and on which these calculations were largely 

 based were, no doubt, superior to the average farm condi- 

 tions. Sows and pigs selected for experimental feeding 

 must be thrifty and as uniform as possible in feeding 

 qualities. This results in the exclusion of those indi- 

 viduals which tend to pull down the average performance, 

 or make the results from comparable groups less reliable. 

 First-class forage crops were generally used also, and the 

 number of pigs carried by each acre was large. On the 

 other hand, the rations fed the brood sows were liberal 

 and the charges for equipment and upkeep were un- 

 doubtedly higher than on the average hog farm. Further- 

 more, the good breeder may maintain a class of brood 

 sows which will continue to be reliable breeders for a 

 longer period than four years. On the whole, the condi- 

 tions were probably comparable with the average of the 

 best. 



