FINISHING CATTLE IN THE STALL OR SHED 120 



own farms. When thus grown, the breeding of the 

 animals can be controlled, and, as a result, it becomes 

 possible for the feeder to put upon the market finished 

 animals that will command the highest prices paid. The 

 manure resulting may also be better utilized on a small 

 farm than in feed lots not closely associated with farms. 

 In no other way can animals be finished more cheaply 

 for the block from the arable farm, as no expense is 

 incurred in the purchase of the same or in transit, save 

 when they are being sent to the market. The difficulty 

 sometimes met in shipping in less than carload lots is, 

 to some extent, an obstacle in growing cattle thus. But 

 this may be overcome by two or three men, who are 

 neighbors, acting in concert. 



Should the farmer not be able to grow as many 

 animals as he desires to feed, he can usually make up 

 the number from neighbors with little difficulty where 

 a proper spirit of co-operation is cultivated. Many 

 farmers grow a small number of animals, usually classed 

 as feeders, when possessed of sufficient age to justify the 

 classification, and yet they may not desire to fatten them, 

 for want of facilities or for other reasons. When not 

 skilled in feeding, it is probable that they get the best 

 returns that would accrue from selling them thus, not- 

 withstanding that the purchasers may make a substan- 

 tial profit from feeding them. From this source also 

 large feeders, in some instances, obtain their supplies. 



In some states many animals of this class are pur- 

 chased from farmers at the age of 12 to 18 months, and 

 are carried into range or semi-range areas, and there 

 grown for one or two years on cheap pastures such as 

 exist there. They are then shipped back again to grain- 

 growing centers and fattened there. This movement 

 of stock may be profitable to the ranchman, but it is not 

 profitable to the grower, who should aim to grow his 

 animals until ready for the feed lot, even though he 

 should not attempt to finish them himself. Such animals 



