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Pig Feeding Experiments. 



Pig Feeding Experiments. 



The Wisconsin Agricultural Experiment Station has re- 

 cently published details of experiments conducted by Prof. 

 Henry with regard to the relative merits of maize as food for 

 pigs when fed whole or in form of meal. 



The trials commenced in 1896, and were continued in each 

 year up to 1901. The general results obtained showed that 

 in seven cases there was a saving of from 6 to 17 per 

 cent, in the weight of food through grinding the maize to 

 meal, while in two cases there was a loss of 2 per cent, and 

 9 per cent, respectively. 



The experiment for 1901 commenced in the previous 

 November, and continued for twelve weeks. It was found 

 that to produce 100 lbs. of gain in live weight, 588 lbs. of 

 shelled maize and wheat middlings were required, compared 

 with 553 lbs. of maize meal and wheat middlings. There was 

 therefore a saving by grinding amounting to 35 lbs. on 588 lbs., 

 i.e., 6 per cent. No allowance was made for the cost of grinding, 

 the experiment being based entirely upon the gain or loss 

 incurred while feeding. 



Another series of experiments conducted at this station 

 relates to the feeding value of rape, and the results obtained 

 lead to the following conclusions : — 



An acre of rape, when properly grown, and combined 

 with a ration of maize and shorts, has a feeding value 

 equivalent to 2,436 lbs. of a mixture of these grain feeds 

 when it is fed to pigs of various breeds from four to ten 

 months old. 



Rape is a better green feed for growing pigs than good 

 clover pasture. Pigs fed on the rape made on the average 

 100 lbs. of gain on 33-5 lbs. less grain than was required 

 by pigs fed upon clover pasture. 



Pigs are more thrifty, they have better appetites, and make 

 correspondingly greater gains, when supplied with rape 

 pasture in conjunction with their grain feed, than when fed 

 on grain alone. 



Rape by itself is not a satisfactory food, though it has been 

 found that pigs will just about maintain themselves without 

 loss of weight on rape alone, 



