FLOCK HUSBANDRY IN WESTERN STATES. 229 



heavy runs and depressed markets to secure 

 for the feeder his supplies at the lowest price. 

 Naturally when the man goes himself to the 

 market place he desires ta make his purchase 

 and get away whether conditions seem to him 

 just right or not. His impatience may there- 

 fore cost him dearly. 



It is a good plan to set a price that you are 

 willing to pay for the class of Sheep that you 

 decide to feed and carefully describing your 

 wishes state the case to your commission man, 

 leaving the order with him to be filled when he 

 can. It may happen that you are too low and 

 your bid may need to be raised, or the stuff 

 may cost you less than you have expected to 

 pay. 



The feeder may if he desires go in person to 

 the ranges and make his selections there, bring- 

 ing his purchases directly home. Thus he will 

 get the best and get it home fresher than did 

 they lie around in stock yards awaiting pur- 

 chasers. The practical disadvantage of this, 

 however, is that on the range the buyer must 

 pay the rancher's price; if he lets the sheep go 

 on to market he sets the price himself. 



It is especially desirable in buying on the 

 range that the purchaser should take care to 

 weigh at least a portion of the stuff and make 

 due allowance for shrinkage in shipment, else 

 he may buy very dearly without being aware. 

 In advising the feeder to beware of thin Native 

 feeders the writer is aware that he is preju- 

 dicing his very subject and aim, the buijding 

 up of flocks of natives in all the region east of 



