9 
“Amongst the domestic animals, none respond so readily to root 
crops as pigs. We have to admit that, under some conditions of 
climate, they are costly crops to raise, as they require large quanti- 
ties of water. All things being equal, however, they provide a high 
percentage of digestible dry matter. Their value is chiefly emphasis- 
ed in making available, during the hot, dry months of summer, and 
the cold months of winter, a succulent, relishable fodder, when our 
natural pastures and herbage are dry and scarce. 
“Seeing they contain high percentages of water, starches, and 
sugars, it is essential, in the maintenance of a maximum growth in 
fattening swine, that they be combined judiciously with cereals, maize, 
flesh food, lucerne, pollard, skim milk, cowpeas, peas, beans, and other 
similar foods. 
“ A too wide nutritive value may create waste and check good 
growth by preventing the complete digestion of the protein, as well as 
permitting some of the starches to pass from the body as manure. ” 
On the subject of 
Potatoes 
as pig food, the author says : “ When fed to pigs, potatoes appear to 
agree with them better than other root crops, particularly when the 
ration is balanced with barley, maize, or oats and skim milk. The 
Danes secure very high returns with this class of food. The starchy 
matter of the potatoes is combined with the protein of the skim 
milk and cereals to formulate a well-arranged diet. The bacon made 
from pigs fed on these rations has a notable reputation. 
“At the Wisconsin Experiment Station it was ascertained that 
I bushel of maize is equal in food value to 4H bushels of cooked 
potatoes. In numerous experiments it was found that pigs always 
secured better flesh gains by being fed on cooked potatoes in com- 
parison with those given raw. 
“ The use of potatoes as pig-feed can only be determined by the 
current market values. When potatoes are low in price, their use as 
a pig-food is justified ; but, where potatoes are grown as a staple 
crop on the farm, there is always an unmarketable residue, and these 
can be fed to pigs with advantage. Pork raised solely from potatoes 
has a tendency to be very fat, and wasteful in cooking. In every 
instance they must be fed with other foods in which the percentage 
.of protein is prominently high.” 
Artichokes. 
“ This is a flowering, perennial plant which has, in the past, been 
overlooked as a valuable food for pigs. It grows from 6 to 9 feet high, 
.and when in bloom, seen from a distance, the crop looks like one of 
miniature sunflowers. 
“The stalks are frequently used for feeding sheep or conversion 
into silage, and the tubers afford a palatable and succulent food for 
pigs. The plant is very persistent in growth, and, if raised, in suit- 
