Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-08-11
Some Feeding Tests.

Is encouraging, however, that some of
our stations are giviBg attention to
| this matter.
! Inc writer has visited some stations
"nere feeding tests were in progress,
ana ne has been impressed with the
| dlfhcultles attending even the best
planned and most carefully conducted
efforts of the stations.
| The value OF O. feed is not clearly
shown by feeding that feed alone.
Conhnlng q pig In q pen, and limiting
to one article of diet, with water three
times day, may show that a pig can
live and possibly grow on such diet
and under such conditions; but it tells
little or nothing of the value of that
article when fed with other feeds and
under other conditions.
For example, at ore station we're
found tive pens OF pigs representing
the Berkshire and Poland China
breeds. The first pen of four shoats
were fed what green clover they would
eat. They had water given in a. filthy
trough three times g. day. The pen
was 8x10 feet under roof, no sunshine
could enter. There was a. door 2x3
feet through which the shoats had &C.
cess to an open lot 1Ox16 feet. Here
| they could root, and had it torn I'D in
holes one to two feet deep. The drip
! from the roof made this a quagmire
in wet time. The covered quarters
we're paved with stone and looked as
Il they never were cleaned out. The
flies and stencil and filth were enough
to breed q pestilence, and break down
the health of even Norway rat.
The problem presented to my mind
was not what is the feeding value of
clover, but rather how much discom-
fort can q hog endure and live. God
pity the college hog, was my silent
prayer. The helpless brutes were en-
during all this in the name of scientific
investigation. admit that vivisec-
tion is necessary and proper because
the needs OF scientific investigation
demand it, and it reveals to us what
we need to know and cannot learn
without it. But in the name of true
science and investigation / protest
against unnecessary cruelty to even
hog. While q feeding test is made let
US have along with it reasonable sani-
tary conditions, which favor health,
growth, and comfort. 1t does not
argue that q pig has comfort because
he can go in or out of the rain. The
prisoners in the black hole of Calcut-
ia were protected from the pelting
storms and scorching sun, yet even
the sunshine and storm would have
been life and health compared with the
filth and sitting atmosphere of that
| dungeon.
The point want to make is this,
that until we can know that feeding
experiments are conducted with sani-
tary conditions on an average with
those afforded to stock fed on the
farms the conclusions announced from
the stations are not worth our con-
sideration.
Another thing about this test OF
feeding green clover. The clover was
/ cut and thrown into a pile near the
pen in quantity to suit the man who
did the feeding. 1t was wilted, woody
and much of it musty. Now, only g.
pig on the verge of starvation would
eat clover in that condition On the
farm the pigs in the clover field pick
only the bloom and fresh buds and
leaves. With such choice feed they
have the free exercise in open air, with
other conditions that tend to comfort
and health.
Now if on such feed and such condi-
tions attending these experimental
pigs we are told by bulletin that pigs
make growth on clover and water
alone, let the farmer conclude that
with good handling the hogs on the
clover field can make MANIFOLD better
growth.
! There is little that is tangible, def
mite, or valuable in any such expert
ments.
Let US hope that farmers and feed
ers themselves will weigh their feed and
| their stock as carefully and accurately
as possible, and note from year to
year the gains or losses made by the
various feeds or combinations, and
note, too, the conditions of weather
and feed and animals, and in few years
they will have data that will be of
real value to them and the public.
We can learn too from the many
tests now being and that have been
made by lovers of science. Some of
them are of incalculable value, and we
would not say q word to detract from
the merit of the work done at our col
leges and stations.
AS practical men, seeking much
needed information, let us demand
that the men who are employed to
make such tests shall appreciate the
relation between feed and care. We
admit that the hog or steer is q ma
chine to convert grass and grain into
! flesh, but unlike the inanimate ma
chine his usefulness depends not only
on the kind OF feed he gets but how and
when and where he gets it.
| Now hope [ will not be misunder-
| stood; my aim is not to lessen conf
dence in the work undertaken st some
OF our stations and colleges. That con-
fidence is not of the vigorous kind now.
I would have the experiments made in
accordance with the laws Of health,
and would have the keep and feeding
of animals done in g. way to command
the admiration and respect of farmers
who visit the stations. | know it is
dirty drudgery to clean out pig-pens
and cattle stables, but it must bedone.
/ Cleanliness and comfort and n1re aiY.