316 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



be fed in a gradual way which shall at sale time bring them to the cul- 

 minating point of highest bloem. This preparation is one of great im- 

 portance, involving careful judgment and unceasing oversight, ay the 

 bloom point lasts but a short time, and too much fitting is as harmful 

 in appearance as too little. While it is not witlain the latitude of my 

 subject, I cannot pass it over without the suggestion that it is almost 

 necessary to live with a sale consignment during the period of prepar- 

 ation. They can never be too good. 



Cai-eful grooming must not be overlooked. When each animal Is 

 driven into the ring, let it be in his best possible form. If a coat is 

 uneven or roiigh or shaggy, make a free use of shears and clippers. 

 Trim off surplus horn in hoofs. Brush the coats with some harmless 

 dressing which shall add glossiness, but not so much as to have a greasy 

 e-Tect. Let every hog go into the ring directly from the hands of a man 

 who sha'.l have no other duty than to see that it is clean, well brushed 

 an-d as attractive in every way as possible. 



Every hog should early in the day be marked plainly with his cata- 

 logue number, so that buyers miay be able to identify, examine, and 

 make their selections tefore the sale opens. My preference is for a 

 large white figure printed on the back with white lead. This is easily 

 seen from any point in the ring and avoids confusion as to number. 



As the personal comfort and good nature of the bidders have much 

 to do with their liberality in bidding, the lunch and tent are worthy 

 of consideration. The lunch or dinner I have always made quite a fea- 

 ture of, and at most of my sales I have arranged to have some church 

 society serve a chicken pie dinner free to all who came. The plan has 

 been highly complimented, and was comparatively inexpensive. 



The tent naturally follows in importance. It should oe large enough 

 to accommodate the prospective attendance. Have it in place, with 

 seats all arranged the day before. If the day be cold, one or two stoves 

 should be provided and the tent closed up and heated in the forenoon. 

 Get your crowd from dinner into the comfortable tent with as little 

 delay as possible, and start your sale while they are in good humor. 

 When the auctioneer has started to selling, anticipate his action just 

 enough to have another hog in the ring the instant he calls "sold". 

 Promptness in selling is commendable. When a sale is going along 

 nicely, and when a fair figure has been reached, it is not a good plan 

 to hold and hang on for another bid. Have help enough to handle the 

 hogs promptly. Avoid any exciting occurences, or anything that will 

 draw the attention of the crowd from the hog in the ring. Do not let 

 any controversies arise, and do not undertake to make any explanations 

 unless at the request of your auctioneer. Arrange your programme of 

 selling before starting, let it be well understood by the auctioneer and 

 all your helpers, and then follow it out to the letter. When a hog is 

 sold let the clerk announce the name of the buyer, so there may be no 

 rci^undr'rEtanding in this respect. 



The auctioneer and the advertising are both points for serious con- 

 sideration. In my own case, I have always he'd that, with reference 

 to auctioneers, the best was none too good. I prefer that the principal 



