BUYING STOCK 33 



region of $20 a head, but two-year-olds are prac- 

 tically unobtainable, except at beef prices. 



A good plan for getting together the nucleus of a 

 herd is to quietly approach any man who may be 

 contemplating selling off at the time, and come to 

 a mutually advantageous arrangement, by which 

 you can obtain beasts at an all-round price, in- 

 cluding calves, yearlings, two-year-olds, and beef, 

 at perhaps $25 per head. If this can be done, it 

 would pay you, provided there were a good sprinkling 

 of maturer stock in the selection ; but if a higher 

 price is asked, do not invest your money, for it 

 would not be worth while. 



" Dogies " are procurable at almost any time, 

 and are indispensable to the small man who is start- 

 ing up for himself in a modest way. After weather- 

 ing the first winter, they usually prove to be quite 

 hardy, and take kindly to the range. It must not 

 be forgotten, though, that they naturally mature 

 more slowly than range animals, and are not ready 

 for beef, as a rule, before four years ; but good 

 returns are annually made by men who use ordinary 

 care during development. 



Yearling " dogies " should be picked up in any 

 of the ranching districts at between $12 and $15 

 per head, and two-year-olds at from $15 to 



