730 



Suggestions for Pig-Feeders. [dec., 



These results would appear to show that the four rations 

 are approximately equal, the chief difference being between 

 the maize meal and crushed oats ration and the buckwheat 

 ration, a gain of about 7 lb. per pig in favour of the former. 

 The rations were not compared as regards cost. 



Peas. — Peas provide a most valuable food for pigs, 

 especially when they are used with foods rich in carbo- 

 hydrates. Numerous experiments have shown that there is a 

 considerable difference between the carcass of a pig fed on 

 pea meal and that of one which has been largely fed on maize. 

 For example, at the Wisconsin Station pea meal and maize 

 meal were compared, f and the pigs fed on the former gained 

 0*837 1°* P er day, compared with 0*54 lb. in the case of those 

 fed on maize meal. The average food eaten for 100 lb. of gain 

 was 495 lb. in the case of pea meal and 606 lb. in the case of 

 maize meal. The nutritive ratios of the two feeds were 

 1 : 3' 1 8 and 1 : 9*75 respectively. As regards the slaughter 

 test, it was found that the pea-fed pigs were constitutionally 

 quite superior to the maize-fed lot, and in the former there 

 was a better development of muscle or lean meat in proportion 

 to fat, while in the latter there was a marked difference, the 

 carcasses containing a greater proportion of fat, and being 

 soft and flabby in consistency. 



Rice Meal. — This by-product has, in America, according 

 to Coburn, been found equal to maize meal. At the South 

 Carolina Experiment Station, Berkshire pigs were fed on 

 rice meal and maize meal, with skim milk in each case, and 

 the best and most economical gains were made with the rice 

 meal ration. Thus: — ■ 





Food required 

 for 1 lb. gain. 



Average gain per 

 head per day. 



Cost of 1 lb. gain. 



Rice nieal, I part ... 

 Skim milk, 4 parts 



lb. 



2-48! 

 9-91/ 



lb. 

 1 72 



d. 



Maize meal, 1 part 

 Skim milk, 4 parts 



2'57\ 

 1028/ 



166 



2-31 



The cost in Great Britain at current prices would, of course, 

 be proportionately greater than this, but the figures serve to 



+ Wis. Exp. Stat. Rept. y 1902, p. 17. 



