BULLETIN No. 68.

JANUARY,

86 JNAY 1896,

ALABAMA

Agricultural Experiment Station
OF THE

AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE,
AUBURN.

PIG FEEDING EXPERIMENTS.

C. A.

CARP,. Veterinarian.

MONTGOMERY, ALA.:
THE BROWN PRINTING COMPANY, PRINTERS.

1896.

COMMITTEE OF. TRUSTEES ON- EXPERIMENT STATION.
I.
J.

F. CULVER.....................................Union
G. GILCIJEIST

Springs..
Hoppe Hull.
}

.................................
.... ...........

H. CLAY ARMS~TRONG............

Auburn.

STATIONCOUNCI L..
Wm. LEROY .................................... B. B. Ross................... .................. P. H. MELL.............. .............................
L. C. J. M. A.
UNDERWOOD...........................................

BROUN
'D.

President. Chemist. Botanist.
Biologist. Veterinarian.

CA RY,

V.

M

...............................
..................

F..DUGGAR.....................................

Acting Agriculturist.

F. S. EARLE.................
J;:T ANDEEs N

Acting Horticulturist.
... First Assistant Chemist.

ASSISTANTS. ..............

C. L. 'HARiE.:"..

...........

:..............Second Assistant chemist.

R. G. WILLIAMS... ............. T. U. CULVER ......... .

...... ...............

Third Assistant Chemist. Superintendent. of Farm.

of the State on application to the Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, Alabama.

VWThe

Bulletins of this Station will be sent free to any citizen

PIG FEEDING EXPERIMENTS.
BY C. A. CARY.

These feeding tests were made for the purpose of securing a ration -of which cotton seed or cotton seed meal should -formone of the principal ingredients-that would not kill pigs and yet be a profitable food. At the same time it was -our aim to attempt to determine the reason why cotton seed or cotton seed meal kills pigs; this part of the experiment was not fully carried out, because no pigs were killed by the feeding tests. These tests must be considered as preliminary; because -their number and the repetition of the same tests are insuf.-icient to make fixed or definite feeding laws. In order to f obtain definite conclusions, repeated and various tests must be made, and in connection therewith chemical analyses of the ration as fed and of the indigestible parts of the ration must be made.° In these tests we were controlled by limited means and difficulties in obtaining the foods desired at the time when needed. However, it was our intention to use such foods as were in season and most available to the farmer.
FIRST EXPERIMENT.

(See table No. I.)

In calculating the cost of the rations in the tests, made from April 28th to August 11, 1894, the following prices were used: Corn, 60 cents per bushel; cow peas, 60 cents per bushel; sweet potatoes, 50 cents per bushel; green oats, green rye and green sorghum, each 25 cents per cwt.; wheat bran and cotton seed meal at $20 per ton; cotton seed at 12o cents per bush. Since I could find no digestible per-

at

FIRST.EXPERIMENT.
No. of DAILY RATION FED TO EACH
4--D
4

TABLE NO. I.
14

Co4

c

w0 b.P 0

- P-4

0

G

O
____

Pig. I.

PIG.

Ground Corn ....... Ground Cow Peas ...
Sweet Potatoes. Ground

.113 lbs.
123
"

1

1-

1-

f-

1-

1

-

I

1

-1

f

___

____- t

___

__-

_____-

-

-r

______-

.210

112

1128 1130 1131 1134 1143

11491

154155j
821
90*

159

165121172

1169 174

1832

185173
-I.-

6.1-6ct 1:4.2

II.

Corn.......

Ground Cow

Sweet Potatoes....2.1-i10

Peas ... 4 1%.
"

.113 lbs.

X593 2 6P166

179

99

104% 101%3 112 2

118

120

11
I

613

1:4.6
I-------

Ground Corn........1.1-5 lbs. 57162 III. Ground Cow Peas .... 112" Green Oats........ 1.4-5 "
1---

6632170
I i I I I

81'
I

821 88
i

92
I-

9514
i

97

101

108

109 514 713

IV.

Cow Peas..........1.4-5 lbs. 42 Green Oats ......... 1.4-5
---I

I

Sweet Potatoes...1.4-5
Ground Cow

47 53 53

52 60 67/

67 71

"

7532 75Y'

2

78

79

8312

88

89 47

8.7-12

Crushed Cotton Seed 1.1-5 lbs.
V.

Green Oats.... _.... 2.1-10
Ground Cow
Sweet

Peas ....

1.1-5" "

41

50%4 55 51Y4

5612

61

6612

67~

682 71%'
80

7112

72

7Zi

7712

80

82 41

6.3-5

Crushed Cotton Seed 1.2-5 lbs.
VI.

Potatoes.. .. .2.1-10
Oats .........

Peas.... 1.2-5

52

59 62

'6 112

65

7112

78

77. 82,

85

87%2 86

93

92

91 39

7

1 :4.2

"

Cotton Seed Meal.... .3-10 lbs.
VI.WetBa

.... 2Green 14850%2149
49
3.3-5

153'2

5I 54 51%21.54)2 56

57259

58

57 13

23%~

Cotton Seed Meal..3-5 lbs. VIII.
Ground

Green Oats .........

Corn.........1.1-5
3

_...
"

57%2 66Y46

I70

I66

73 I77%~ 78I 78

"

802

78

8'

77k2 73

68

67 912 18.11-12

231
centages of sweet potatoes I used those of Irish potatoes in calculating the nutritive ratio in all rations where sweet potatoes were used. Pig No. I., during the entire feeding period of 105 days, received daily, 1 1-3 lbs. of ground corn; 1 2-3 lbs. of ground cow peas, and 2 1-10 lbs. of sweet potatoes. The nutritive ratio based on the pig weighing 125 lbs. is 1:4.2. The pig gained 73 lbs. at a cost of 6 4-5 cents per lb. It required 7 1-3 lbs. of the ration mixture (just as fed) to make 1 lb. of .gain. This ration is too small in quantity; 2 lbs. of corn, 22 lbs. of cow peas and 3 lbs. of sweet potatoes would make a ration in proportion to the size of the pig. Pig No. II., from April 28th to August 11th (105 days), received daily 1 1-3 lbs. ground corn; 1 2-3 lbs. of ground cow peas and 2 1-10 lbs. of sweet potatoes. With the average weight of the pig at 84 lbs. the nutritive ratio is 1:4.6. The pig gained 71 lbs. in 105 days at a cost of 7 cents per lb. It required 72 lbs. of the ration mixture (just as fed) to make 1 lb. of gain. This ration is the same as that for pig No. I.; but this pig being smaller makes the ration slightly less in quantity than that which is required. Pig No. III., from April 28th to June 2d (35 days), re.ceived daily 1 1-5 lbs. of ground corn; 1 lbs. of ground cow peas; 1 4-5 lbs. of green oats. With the average weight of the pig at 65 lbs., the nutritive ratio is 1:4.7. The cost of 1 lb. of gain is 6 cents. It required 8 2-3 lbs. of the ration mixture to make one pound of gain. The pig gained 17' lbs. in 35 days. Pig No. III., from June 2d to Aug. 11th (70 days), was fed daily 1 3-5 lbs. of ground corn; 1 3-5 of ground cow peas, and 2 2-5 lbs. of green sorghum. With the average weight of the pig at 90 lbs. the nutritive ratio is 1:5.1. The pig gained 34 lbs. at a cost of 8 2-3 cents per lb,, or 11 2-3 lbs. of the ration mixture. Pig No. IV., from April 28th to June 2d (35 days), received daily 1 4-5 lbs. of cow peas; 1 4-5 lbs. of green oats, and 1 4-5 lbs. of green sorghum. The average weight of

232 the pig at 50 lbs. makes the nutritive ratio 1:3.6... The pig gained 18 lbs. at a cost: of 6 1-3 cents per lb., or 10 2-3 pounds of the ration mixture. Pig No. IV., from June 2 to August 11 (70 days), was fed daily 2 2-5 lbs. of cow peas; 2 4-5 lbs. of green sorghum, and 2 2-5 lbs. of sweet potatoes. The pig gained 29. lbs. at a cost of 10 5-6 cents per lb. or 18 lbs. of the ration mixture. With the average weight of the pig at 75 lbs. the nutritive ratio is 1:3.6. Pig. No. V., from April 28 to June 2 (35 days), received daily 1 1-5 lbs. of crushed cotton seed; 1 1-5 lbs. of ground cow peas, and 2 1-10 lbs. of green oats. With the pig weighing 50 lbs. the nutritive ratio is 1:3.9. The pig gained 20 lbs. at a cost of 4 1-5 cents per lb. or 7 4-5 lbs. of the ration mixture. Pig No. V., from June 2 to August 11 (70 days), received daily 2 lbs. of crushed cotton seed; 1 1-5 lbs. of ground cow peas, and 2 1-5 lbs. of green sorghum. The average weight of. the pig at 70 lbs. makes the nutritive ratio 1:5. The pig gained 21 lbs.' at a cost of 9 cents per lb. or 20 lbs. of the ration mixture. Pig No. VI., from April 28 to August 11, received daily 1 2-5 lbs. of crushed cotton seed; 1 2-5 lbs. ground cow peas, and 2 1-10 lbs. of sweet potatoes. With the average weight of the pig at 70 lbs. the nutritive ratio is 1:4.2. The pig gained 49 lbs. at a cost of 7 cents per lb. or 101 lbs. of the ration mixture. Pig No. VII., from April 28 to June 2, was fed daily 3-10 lbs. of cotton seed meal, 1 lbs. of wheat bran, and 3 3-5 lbs. of green oats. The average weight of the pig at 46 lbs. makes the nutritive ratio 1:4. The pig gained 5 lbs. at a cost of 21 cents per lb. or 38 lbs. of the ration mixture. On May 30 this pig refused to eat, and was apparently sick. From June 2 to August 11, Pig No. VII. received daily 3-10 lbs. of cotton seed meal; 1 lbs. of wheat bran, and 3 3-5 lbs. of green sorghum..... The average weight of the pig: at 50 lbs, makes the nutritive ratio 1:4.5. The pig gained

233 8-ibs. at a cost of 26 cents per pound or 47 lbs. of the ration mixture. On August 4 this pig almost entirely refused to eat and grew worse until August 11, when the test closed and the pig was turned out to pasture and fed corn; upon this ration it made an average fat hog in 4 months. Pig No. VIII., from April 28 to June 2, received daily 3-5 lb. of cotton seed meal; 1 1-5 lbs. of ground corn and 3 lbs. green oats. The average weight of the pig at 50 lbs. makes the nutritive ratio 1:4.7. In 35 days the pig gained 152 lbs. at a cost of 6 1-6 cents per lb., or 10 4-5 lbs. of the ration mixture. On May 30 this pig refused to eat, but gradually improved until it manifested no signs of illness. Pig No. VIII., from June 2 to Aug. 11, received daily 3-5 lb. of cotton seed meal; 1 1-5 lbs. of ground corn and 3 lbs. of green sorghum. The average weight of the pig at 70 lbs. makes the nutritive ratio 1: 4.5. In 70 days the pig lost 6 lbs. This ration should have contained 1 lb. of cotton seed meal, 22 lbs. of corn and 4 lbs. green sorghum. On July 28 and August 4 this pig refused food. It was evidently sick. It gradually grew worse until August 11 when the experiment was closed. Very probably it would have died had it not been turned out and given other food. This pig soon recovered after being turned into a pasture and fed corn. In fact, it became a fine "porker" in 4 months after the close of the experiment. SECOND EXPERIMENT. (See Table No. II.)

In determining the cost of the food in the rations used in the feeding tests, made from March 30 to June 29, 1895, the same prices were used as for the test in 1894. The green rye gave out on April 27, and it was our intention to follow the green rye with green oats or green sorghum; but owing to unavoidable conditions those foods could not be secured. Pig No. I., from March 30 to June 29, was fed daily 32 lbs.: of corn. In 91 days the pig gained 25 lbs. at a cost of 13 3-5

SECOND EXPERIMENT.
No. of
DAILY RATION FED TO EACH bQr

TABLE NO. IT.

4

bA

bC +bO,1

b

bJ
'

b.0O 1-

4c
m

bbe

O

b~~b
-bO&

O

.6
be

Pi.PIG.

~)3'%lbs.

)
79 81

)

°Z°za

I. II.

Corn .............. Ground Corn ....

67 260 60
46 60 73 452~ 60 7l12

212 lbs 47 212 lbs. 60 3'2 2'2 lbs, 78

Crushed Cotton Seed.. 3
III. Ground Corn .........

Crushed Cotton Seed..
IV. Ground Cow Peas..

70 4745 6055
68

71 462 55t2

75 50 64 96

78
51 63 96

812 83

87

90 58 81

922 25

13.3-51:10.3 1:8 1:7.8 1:4.4

53 53'2532 54%256

58i2~11% 32 83 23 16

6566

67
97'2

69

71

75 79'286

Crushed Cotton Seed.. 4
V. VI.

9797
5151

101 103 106 107%29%2 1212

Green Rye..........312
Ground Cow Peas.......'

Seed.4A 1lbs. 71 Crushed Cotton Seed. .3'2 lbs. 70
Crushed Cotton
2 "

Lost
68% 70%2 2 69%2 68
65 62 60
6312

55 70

53 69

512 53

55

562 58

6363

67 67'2 67269

71

73

76

.6

13,

1:6.7
734

VII. Crushed Cotton Seed.... 3 lbs."6511/64.

Green Rye.... _......312
Ground Cow Peas...3
Green Rye

70

7272

73.

81

81

82 83'283

8312 84

87

88%223

14'2

VIII. Crushed Cotton Se......3 lbs.

..........
..........

" 3%12

47Y2- 5351
58
55'261

512

60

61

616112 62

63%265

66

192191%

IX.

Crushed Cotton Seed.... 3 lbs.
Ground Corn
Green

Rye.......... 3%
4

3"

6264
7169

65

68

70

7071

71

73

731/275

77

19

38%

"

X.

Wheat Bran.......... 3 lbs.
Green Rye ............
"

60

66'2 71

70

73,

74

73 73'273

74

76

77

79

19

19.2-5

235
cents per lb., or 12j lbs. of corn. The nutritive ratio is 1:10.3. This pig was, of common stock. Pig II., from March 30 to June 29, received daily 22 lbs. of ground corn, and and 3 lbs. of crushed cotton seed. In 91 days it gained 114 lbs. at a cost of 32 cents per lb. or 47 lbs. of the ration mixture. With the average weight of the pig at 52 lbs., the nutritive ratio is 1: 8. This ration contains too much cotton seed. Corn 32 lbs. and cotton seed 1 lbs. would make a better ration. This pig was from common stock. It was turned into a pasture at the close of the test and in the fall was fed corn. About Jan. 1, 1896, it weighed 216 lbs. Pig No. III., from March 30 to June 29, received daily 22 lbs. of ground corn and 3. lbs. of crushed cotton seed. With the average weight of the pig at 70 lbs., the nutritive ratio is 1: 7.8. The pig gained 23 lbs. at a cost of 11 cents per lb., or 23- lbs. of the ration mixture. The gain is better than that of pig No. IIL; yet there is too much cotton seed in the ration. This pig was turned into a pasture at the close of the test and in the fall it was fed corn. It was of common stock, and weighed about Jan. 1, 1896, 164 lbs. Pig No. IV., from March 30 to June 29, received daily 22 lbs, of ground cow-peas and 4 lbs. of crushed cotton seed. The average weight of the pig ai 93 lbs. makes the nutritive ratio 1:4.4. In 91 days the pig gained 292 lbs. at a cost of 122 cents per lb. or 20 lbs. of the ration mixture. Ground cow-peas 3 lbs. and crushed cotton seed 2 lbs. would be a better ration for a pig of the same weight. This pig was afterwards fed as No. III., and weighed about Jan. 1, 1896, 170 lbs. Pig No. V., from March 30 to June 29, received daily 41 lbs. of crushed cotton seed. The nutritive ratio is 1: 6.7. In 91 days the pig lost 13 lbs. This pig apparently ate enough to prevent starvation. Yet it- grew in frame work (bone, etc.), and when turned out to pasture and given corn, after the close of the test, made a hog that weighed 153 lbs. about January 1st, 1896.

236: Pig No. VI., from March 30 to April 27; receiveddaily 34 lbs. of crushed cotton seed and 32 lbs. of green rye. The average weight of the pig at 67 lbs. makes the nutritive ratio 1 6.7. .In 28 days the pig lost 6 lbs. Crushed cotton seed 2 lbs. and green rye 5 lbs. would have been a better ration for this pig. Pig No. VI, from April 27 to June 29, received daily 3 lbs. of crushed cotton seed. The nutritive ratio is 1:6.7.The pig gained 13 lbs. at a cost of 5.9 cents per lb., or 13lbs. of crushed cotton seed. The pig did not eat all the ration at any time. It ate sufficient to maintain life and increase the size of the frame work of the body. It was not in the best of health all the time, but never exhibited signs of serious illness. After the close of the feeding test this pig was treated as pig No. III. It weighed 220 lbs. January 1, 1896. It was of common stock. Pig No. VII, from March 30 to April 27, received daily 3 lbs. of crushed cotton seed; 3 lbs. of ground cow peas, and 32 lbs. of green rye. With the average weight of the pig at 70 lbs., the nutritive ratio is 1:3.8. The pig gained 72 lbs. at a cost of 18 4-5 cents per lb., or 35 lbs. of the ration mixture. Crushed cotton seed 11 lbs.; ground cow peas 2 lbs., and green rye 4 lbs. would make a better ration. Pig No. VII, from April 27 to June 29, received daily 3 lbs. of crushed cotton seed and 3 lbs. of ground cow peas. With the average weight of the pig at 80 lbs., the nutritive ratio is 1:3.7. The pig gained 151 lbs., at a cost of 142 cents per lb., or 201 lbs., of the ration mixture. With the same after treatment as No. III, the pig weighed 170 lbs. January 1, 1896. This was an Essex pig. Pig No. VIII, from April 6 to April 27, received 3 lbs. of crushed cotton seed; 3 lbs. of ground cow peas, and 32 lbs. of green rye. With the average weight of the pig at 50 lbs. the nutritive ratio is 1:3.9. In 21 days the pig gained 4 lbs. at a cost of 25 3-5 cents per Ib., or 49.9 lbs. of the ration mixture. Cotton seed cow peas 2 lbs., and green rye 5 lbs. would make a better ration.

1

11b.;

237 Pig No. VIII, from April 27 to June 22, received daily 3 lbs. of crushed cotton seed and 3 lbs. of ground cow peas. With: the average weight at 58 lbs., the nutritive ratio is 1:3,6. The pig gained 515lbs. :at a cost of 13 1-6 cents per lb. or 17~ lbs. of the ration mixture. Cotton seed 1 lb. and: cow peas 2 lbs. would make a better ration. On June '22 this pig accidentally escaped from the pen and was killed by being chased too long in the heat of the day. Pig No. IX, from March 30 to April 27, received daily 3 lbs. of crushed cotton seed; 3 lbs. of ground corn; 32 lbs. of green rye. With the average weight of the pig at 60 lbs. the nutritive ratio is 1:7.4. The pig gained 7lbs. at a cost of 20 2-7 cents per lb. or 38 lbs. of the ration mixture. Ciushed cotton seed 1 lb.; ground corn 2 lbs., and green rye 5 lbs. would have been a better ration. Pig No. IX, from April 27 to June 29, received 3 lbs. of crushed cotton seed and 3 lbs. of ground corn. With the average weight of the pig at 70 lbs., the nutritive ratio is 1:8.3. The pig gained 12 lbs. at a cost of 23 cents per lb., or 311 lbs. of the ration mixture. Corn 3 lbs. and cotton seed 1 lb.; or corn 3 lbs. and cotton seed 2 lbs. would have been better. This Essex pig was treated afterwards as No. III and weighed 186, January 1, 1896. Pig No. X, from March 30 to April 27 (28 days), received daily 3 lbs. of wheat bran and 4 lbs. of green rye. With the average weight of the pig at 65 lbs., the nutritive ratio is 1:4.7. The pig gained 10 lbs. at a cost of 11 1-10 cents per lb., or 19 3-5 lbs. of the ration mixture. Pig No. X, from April 27 to June 29, received daily 3 lbs. of wheat bran which has'a nutritive ratio of 1:4.2. The pig gained 9 lbs. at a cost of 21 cents per lb., or 21 lbs. of the ration mixture. Bran and rye are apparently better and less expensive than bran alone. This Essex pig with the same after treatment as No. III, weighed 203, January 14; 1895..

238
THIRD EXPERIMENT.

(See Table III.)

In determining the cost of the rations in these tests, cot-tonseed was rated at 12 cents per bushel, separated milk at 5 cents per gallon and whole milk at 20 cents per gallon. It was our aim to make the entire test with separated milk and cotton seed, but owing to unavoidable circumstances whole milk was substituted for separated milk. It is very evident that whole milk at 20 cents per gallon can not be fed to pigs with profit. At two periods during the test these pigs were slightly affected, but at no time were they seriously ill. Pig No. I, from July 15 to September 2, received daily 6 lbs. of separated milk and 3~ lbs. of crushed cotton seed. With the average weight of the pig at 108 lbs., the nutritive ratio is 1: 5.1. The pig gained 11 lbs. at a cost of 213 cents per lb. On August 15 this pig did not eat cotton seed and was evidently somewhat sick. Pig No. I, from September 2 to October 21 (49 days), received daily 6 lbs. of whole milk and 32 lbs. of crushed cotton seed. With the average weight of the pig at 126 lbs., the nutritive ratio is 1: 6. The pig gained 19 lbs. at a cost 41 1-3 cents per lb. On September 19 this pig failed to eat the cotton seed and was slightly ill. Pig No. II, from July 15 to September 2, received daily 6 lbs. of separated milk and 31 lbs. of crushed cotton seed. With the average weight of the pig at 90 lbs., the nutritive ratio is 1:5.8. The pig gained 122 lbs. in 49 days at a cost of 20 cents per lb. On August 15 this pig ate very little cotton seed. Pig No. II, from September 2 to October 21, received daily 6 lbs. of whole milk and 32 lbs. of crushed cotton seed. With the average weight of the pig at 103 lbs., the nutritive ratio is 1:5.7. The pig gained 8 lbs. in 49 days at a cost of 98 cents per lb. On September 19th, this pig refused to eat cotton seed.

THIRD EXPERIMENT. No. of Pig.
DAILY RATION FED TO EACH PIG.
I I I i I

TABLE NO. III.
4O

AP
bi
b * Q

4-Q

t

a

=-

4-4

o

z
l I I

1-

1

!

A--

-I

i

I. Crushed Cotton Seed..3'2 lbs. 102 104 108 -111 114 114'2 116 113'3 114 1171/2 123 129

136'2 132 132./2301/

312

"Separated" Milk...6"
Crushed Cotton
y

i

-

II.

Separated Milk......... 6 lbs.

Seed..,3'2 lbs.

84

848

7'

91I

94I

94Y2

96

96Y4

95

98

1.103

102'2 105

103 1041 2012

59

240
TESTS AT OTHER STATIONS.

According to feeding tests made by Curtis at the Texas Experiment Station, raw cotton seed,, roasted cotton seed or boiled cotton seed will kill pigs in about six weeks after beginning to feed them. After two years of duplicate tests Curtis states that cotton seed is an unprofitable hog food, because hogs will not eat it. (See Bulletin No. 21, Texas Station.) The Kansas Station gives the following results: "Cotton seed meal proved poisonous to pigs even though fed in small quantities. A mixture of one-fourth cotton seed meal was as disastrous as equal parts of these feeds. The pigs died in from three to eight weeks after being put on this feed, the larger ones holding out the longest. Post mortem examinations revealed in all cases severe inflammation and congestion of the intestines, lungs and heart. But cotton seed meal produces very rapid gains in both pigs and large hogs, and if the feed is changed before symptons of disease appear, hogs can be fed cotton seed meal for a short time with the best results, and this experiment would indicate without subsequent deleterious effects." (See Bulletin 53, Kansas Station.). Why cotton seed or cotton seed meal kills pigs and hogs not definitely known. At present the opinion most prevalent is that it is a result of the condition of the cotton seed or cotton seed meal. It is certain that cotton seed can undergo decomposition-possibly from various forms of germs. These germs when taken into the alimentary canal for some time, may, invade the tissues and produce the severe inflammation of the intestines and the peritoneum. This process may be explained in another way. The germs by their action on the cotton seed or the tissues may develop a poisonousproduct (ptomaine) which causes the inflammation and death. In either case it is the condition of the cotton seed or cotton seed meal that causes the death. Some one may ask: How is it with the roasted or boiled cotton seed where the germs are destroyed by the heat? The heat

is

241 may not destroy the poisonous product, and in many instances the cotton seed is left in the pen and troughs of the pen long enough to begin to decompose before they are eaten. I am of the opinion that boiled or roasted cotton seed will not kill pigs if the seed are not allowed to begin to decompose in the pen before they are eaten. In other words the pen should be cleaned out as soon as the pig stops eating, after each time of feeding. Some have asserted that the lint on the cotton seed formed concretions or impactions in some part of the alimentary canal. I have never observed this and have only heard it asserted by persons whose ability to judge of such conditions was questionable. Furthermore, some believe that the pig, when fed on nothing but cotton seed or cotton seed meal, starves to death. This may occur, but it failed to take place in the limited number of tests we have made. From the tests that have been made here, it is very probable that combining crushed cotton seed with a liberal quantity of green rye, green oats, green sorghum, sweet potatoes or turnips, it can be fed to pigs and hogs without great danger, providing the cotton seed is not mouldy or decomposing or allowed to partially decay in the pen. It is also probable that crushed cotton seed can be combined with skimmed or separated milk. Furthermore, it is quite evident that, after a pig reaches the weight of 50 lbs. cotton seed or cotton seed meal in combination with corn, or cow-peas, can be made a profitable pig ration up to the time of the premonitory symptoms of disease. As a rule this period varies between three and six weeks. The premonitory signs of disease, are weakness, staggering, fever, loss of appetite and few, if any, movements. When these symptoms appear, the pig should be turned into a pasture or the food should be changed to bran slops and corn or other healthy foods. The details of these experiments were carried out by Mr. T. U. Culver, Superintendent of the Station Farm. Much credit is due him for the results obtained.