RESULTS OF SOFT-PORK INVESTIGATION'S, II 
31 
Table 13. — Average weights, gains, feeding periods, grading s t and refractive 
indexes of hack, and leaf fats of 46 hogs self-fed a mixture of ground corn 3 
parts and ground soy deans 1 part, and of 44 hogs self-fed a mixture of ground 
corn 12 parts and tankage 1 part, ooth rations including mineral supplements 
Num- 
ber of 
hogs 
Grading . 
(average and 
distribution) 1 
Initial 
weight 
Gain 
Days 
fed 
Daily 
gain 
Weight 
at 
slaugh- 
ter 
Refractive index 
Ration 
Back 
fat 
Leaf 
fat 
Corn, soy beans, and 
minerals 
46 
44 
f34S 
S-WMS 
13MH 
(IS 
TTI3MS 
U 4MH 
136H 
Pounds 
[l06. 13 
|l07. 52 
Pounds 
110. 89 
134. 95 
82.20 
76.89 
Pounds 
1.35 
1.76 
Pounds 
203. 22 
227. 75 
1. 4614 
1. 4594 
L4604 
Corn, tankage, and 
minerals 
1. 4587 
i The initial letters in this column=S, soft; MS, medium soft; MH, medium hard; H, hard. 
While the average initial weights of the hogs fed the corn-soy-bean 
and corn-tankage rations were 106.13 and 107.52 pounds, respectively, 
the ranges of individual starting weights were from 49 to 146 pounds 
and from 53 to 155 pounds. With average gains of 110.89 and 134.95 
pounds the individual gains varied from 55 to 164 pounds on the 
corn-soy-bean ration and from 63 to 201 pounds on the corn-tankage 
ration. 
Table 13 shows that all except 3 of the 46 hogs fed soy beans with 
corn were graded soft or medium soft by the committee, the 3 being 
classed as medium hard. The refractive indexes of back fat of these 
3 hogs, however, were 1.4611, 1.4609, and 1.4608. With an average 
refractive index of 1.4614 for the 46 hogs there was a variation of 
from 1.4603 to 1.4626. On the other hand, all except 4 of the 44 
hogs fed tankage with corn were graded hard or medium hard, 3 of 
the 4 being classed as medium soft and the other hog as soft. The 
refractive indexes of back fat of the 3 medium-soft hogs were 1.4601, 
1.4599, and 1.4599, and that of the soft hog was 1.4599. The varia- 
tion in refractive indexes of back fat of the 44 hogs was from 1.4589 
to 1.4601, the average being 1.4594. 
These facts in reference to the influence on firmness of the corn- 
soy-bean (3:1) combination of feeds formed the basis for one of the 
conclusions which were released by the cooperating agencies in July, 
1926 (£), as follows: 
Soy beans fed as a supplement to corn in dry lot in the ratio of 1 pound of 
soy beans to 3 pounds of shelled corn to pigs ranging up to 130 pounds in start- 
ing weights will not produce firm carcasses in the usual case when the hogs are 
slaughtered after a gain of approximately 100 pounds or more has been made 
on the corn-soy-bean ration. 
It is of interest that there was a difference, as indicated above, of 
10 points in refractive index between the 12 check pigs and the 46 
hogs finished on the corn-soy-bean ration. The rise of from 1.4604 
to 1.4614 shows that a distinct softening influence was exerted by the 
3 : 1 combination of feeds. On the other hand, the fall of from 1.4604 
to 1.4594 with the 44 hogs fed the corn-tankage (12: 1) ration shows 
plainly that a hardening occurred. In other words, starting at the 
same point (1.4604) there was a rise of 10 points in the one case 
