Value of Barley Meal.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 15 April 1911, Page 4

Value of Barley Meal.

W. J.. Maiden, a writer in the Agricultural Gazette of London, England, says:— .. Barley meal is purchaseable at quite a reasonable price in accordance with the present price of pork; the .sale of new milk has increased so much that skim-milk is more difficult to procure than it used to be; and wheat offals made a fair substitute. A very slight dash of peameal may be added, but it musfc be very slight, or the pork will 'be harder than is wanted. Barley meal should be made from good dr-.y barley, . otherwise it will .soon ferment and mould. :X<Mvly-ground meal is not good, especially for young pigs, and it should be kept until all heat caused by grinding has disappeared. Jt must not, however, be allowed to get stale ; in fact, it is wisest to keep two bins for the meal, clearing one out. before starting the other. . If only one is kept, there is considerable likelihood that fresh lots will from time to time be thrown on a quantity left at the bottom, and this will become sour, affecting that above; moreover, mealworms collect and set up fermentation. This, of course, holds goodi with all meals. It is a good plan to soak meals before giving them to pigs; it facilitates digestion and avoids acidity. Oats make good pig food, but at 20s a quarter of 3201b it is more expensive than barley at 24s >por 4081b. They are, however, well suited to be fed with such starchy foods as potatoes, rice awl maize.