DISPOSAL AND MARKETING OF SHEEP 363 



The aim should be not to unload the stockers in 

 transit more frequently than the law compels such 

 unloading. Sheep, like cattle, will not eat or drink 

 much while in transit; hence the all-important consid- 

 eration is to try and get them to their destination as 

 quickly as possible. When they reach the stockyards, 

 if so considered, they are subject to inspection, and as a 

 safeguard cannot go out for being finished without being 

 dipped once, and twice in case that scabies are discovered. 

 The cost of sheep held in the yards is, of course, borne by 

 the owners. 



Shipping finished sheep in car lots — When sheep are 

 to be shipped in car lots, the wise feeder will look well 

 ahead with reference to securing cars at the time fixed 

 upon for shipping. The importance of giving most care- 

 ful attention to this matter increases with the distance 

 from the market and the lack of competition in the rail- 

 roads. The officials of the road should be given such 

 timely notice of the need of cars as to leave them without 

 excuse if the cars are not forthcoming. Instances may be 

 cited in which failure to secure cars at the proper time 

 has turned what would have been a handsome profit into 

 no profit at all. This result followed the constrained feed- 

 ing of the sheep after they were ready for shipment and 

 downward tendencies in the markets. 



Where large numbers of sheep are fed, the grading 

 of the shipments will be easily practicable. It may not be 

 practicable on the farm where but one carload lot is fin- 

 ished. In the former instance the finished animals may 

 be sent forward as ready, the less finished going later. In 

 the latter instance they may be graded after reaching the 

 yards, if this is thought best. 



The number of finished animals that a car will carry 

 will, of course, be influenced by their size and the degree 

 of the finish possessed. In a single-deck 36-foot car, about 

 100 finished wethers such as come from the range can be 

 shipped without discomfort through overcrowding. From 



