76 SHEEP FEEDING 



Feeding stations important factors. A phase of the sheep 

 business that will probably become more important as the 

 feeding of sheep goes from the hands of the professional to 

 those of the unskilled farmer, is the feeding stations, that run 

 a " sheep hotel for hungry boarders," so to speak. On nearly 

 all the main lines of the railroads running into our large 

 markets, particularly Chicago, there are feeding stations 

 where those who have to ship sheep long distances, or farmers 

 who have been unable to obtain that market topping finish, 

 may stop and have the finishing touches added. These 

 stations do all their feeding in large barns, and are prepared 

 to handle almost any number from a single deck (one hundred 

 and twenty-five) up to a good many thousand head. Charges 

 for feed and care are made at the rate of so much per ton 

 for the feed consumed, generally about two dollars' advance 

 over market prices for hay and grain. For example, one large 

 station had the following rates published from October to 

 December, 1908, for transient feeds; a feed for from sev- 

 enty to ninety days was two dollars less per ton of feed : 



Screenings $18.00 per ton 



Clover, timothy, or mixed hay 14.00 per ton 



Alfalfa 19.00 per ton 



Cracked or whole corn 32.00 per ton 



Bedding 10.00 per ton 



Oats .75 per bu. 



This rate included all charges, as loading, salt, water, 

 and care. 



