FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VI. 345 



distance before they get into the feeder's hands. This handling of the 

 cattle disturbs them both in regard to their habits and feed. The quality 

 of stockers both in "'westerns" and "natives" will have a great deal 

 to do with their adaptability to feeding conditions. This difference in 

 quality may reduce the time necessary to fit them for the market twenty 

 lo thirty per cent. Cattle that are raised and fed on the same farm will 

 mature for market in the shortest time. 



The selection of cattle must depend on the individual judgment of the 

 buyer. No one can buy cattle by rule. This knowledge is born of ex- 

 perience in the business, but generally it may be said that the cattle 

 must give evidence of good breeding, ])e as even as possible in size, 

 weight and color, dehorned and not too old. It is unnecessary to men- 

 tion different breeds, as every feeder has his preference, and many va- 

 rieties are equally good. Shorthorns, Herefords and Angus are the 

 favorites, as they have the essential qualities of build and proportion, 

 namely, wide backs and heavy quarters. The cattle which will yield the 

 biggest margin of profit must be the best quality, which, when finished, 

 will command the top prices. We must continue to improve the quality 

 of our cattle to increase our profits as feeders. 



A few suggestions in regard to the care of feeders, both in pasture 

 as well as in the feed lots, may not be out of place. It is a w^ell known 

 fact that the mental condition has much to do with animals as well as 

 man. Let either get restless, uneasy or worried, and immediately they 

 will begin to lose flesh. To avoid this in the human family I shall not 

 attempt to furnish a theory, but with live stock, particularly feeding cat- 

 tle, they must be kept as much as possible in a good quiet place, with a 

 quiet attendant in charge. This attendant should be patient and indus- 

 trious, ever looking to tne wants of his charge. They must not only have 

 good food and water, but they must have it at a regular time every day, 

 so that their habits in regard to feeding and resting may not be disturbed. 

 This regularity in feeding soon becomes a fixed habit. The feed lot 

 should not be too close to public places, where strangers and dogs will 

 annoy the cattle. A strange dog will sometimes annoy a herd and disturb 

 1 heir habits for a day with consequent loss in gain. 



To be well equipped for the business is an important factor in suc- 

 cess. In cold weather cattle require shelter. This shelter may consist 

 of a feed barn, open sheds or a good grove. Cattle that are exposed to 

 storms in the open lot will not eat or rest well, while more food is used 

 in maintaining animal heat. In a good barn or shed, with plenty of bed- 

 ding, they can always find a warm and comfortable place to rest. It is 

 hard to estimate the value of good bedding, especially a straw stack, in 

 the feed lot. In fine weather cattle do better in the open lot, but in very 

 cold or stormy weather shelter is very essential to avoid shrinkage. 



In regard to ration. I believe that corn is the best feed for cattle and 

 hogs. The corn belt furnishes the market with most of the fat cattle 

 and the best quality of beef in the world. A good deal depends on the 

 quality of the corn. In wet seasons, or with early frosts, it is sometimes 

 soft and of poor quality, with consequent decrease in fat-producing qual- 

 ities. While I believe that corn is our great staple in feeding and that 



