CHAPTER III 



BUYING THE FEEDERS 



First questions for the buyer. Perhaps the first questions 

 that confront the buyer of feeding sheep are when, where, 

 what, and how to buy; and in an effort to answer these 

 questions the following suggestions are made : 



WHEN THE FEEDERS SHOULD BE PURCHASED 



Most feeders reach the market in the fall. By consulting 

 the diagram on page 28 we see that the greatest numbers 

 of sheep reach the markets during the months of August, 

 September, October, and November. Although in some 

 years the runs remain high during December and January, 

 it is largely due to the returning of fat sheep from the feed 

 yards and not to a supply from the range. Fall, then, seems 

 the logical time to do the purchasing, for the abundant 

 supply gives a wide range of selection ; at this season, too, 

 crops are ready to [be fed and the rush of farm work has 

 somewhat diminished. There are some exceptions to the 

 rule, but the exceptions as well as the dates for purchase 

 will be discussed in connection with the different systems 

 of feeding, for the exact date of purchase is determined 

 by the system of feeding to be followed. 



WHERE THE FEEDERS MAY BE PURCHASED 



The purchaser of feeder sheep may go to the ranges in 

 the West and buy direct from the raisers, or purchase on 

 the open market, or buy from one of the many large dealers 



26 



