FINISHING CATTLE IN TlIK STALL OR SHED 13I 



the purchases are to be made. Where pastures are 

 abundant, the aim is to purchase the animals when 

 young, as soon as possible after they are weaned, or as 

 yearlings, and to carry them on until they are old enough 

 to be put into the stables for winter feeding for finish- 

 ing. This method is usually quite satisfactory when it 

 can be followed, as the feeder can have them enter the 

 stables under favorable conditions for feeding, which is 

 not always true of animals purchased and put upon a 

 finishing ration as soon as they reach the farm or feed- 

 ing place. Usually, however, the latter method must 

 be followed, although the instances may be many in 

 which the animals may be grazed for several .weeks be' 

 fore they are tied in the stall. 



As is generally known, more increase relatively may 

 be expected from animals in the one-year form than 

 from those two years. This should not be lost sight of 

 when making purchases, nor should the influence of 

 weight at the time of purchase on the gain from increase 

 in the selling price be lost sight of. Whether animals 

 fully matured, or even aged animals, shall be purchased 

 for finishing will depend upon such conditions as the 

 price, the age, and the character of the inheritance. As 

 they feed slowly, and as the carcass is usually heavily 

 discounted by the buyer, feeders usually very much 

 prefer to feed animals not yet fully matured. 



The influence of inheritance on subsequent develop- 

 ment and market values is very marked. In making 

 selections for feeding, it cannot be ignored, hence 

 animals for such finishing should be chosen only by 

 those who well understand the form of the beast required 

 and the indications of inheritance that are favorable and 

 unfavorable to the production of prime beef. The form 

 required in the good feeding animal is given at length 

 by the author in the book, " Feeding Farm Animals," 

 in the chapter on " Type." It will only be said here, 

 therefore, that the form should be of the low-down, 



