300 THE MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF CATTLE 



ferent buyers, as each may only want animals of a cer- 

 tain grade. When the animals are properly graded 

 before sale, the returns are usually more satisfactory 

 than if not so graded. When sold ungraded, animals 

 not prime will discount the price on prime or high class 

 animals more than the latter class will raise prices on 

 the former. 



The inspection of cattle at the stock yards is being 

 brought to a high condition of efficiency. Cattle that 

 are to be slaughtered if found diseased are virtually sub- 

 jected to three inspections, but if not found diseased, 

 the third inspection is not necessary. The first inspec- 

 tion takes place under federal supervision in the yards 

 to which the cattle are consigned on their arrival. The 

 object is to detect the presence of any easily communi- 

 cable disease. If such is found, the pens are quarantined 

 until disinfected. 



The second inspection takes place as the animals 

 are weighed. It is a dual inspection. It is made in the 

 one instance by a federal ofifiicer whose duty is to detect 

 disease such as may affect the quality of the meat, as, 

 for example, lumpy jaw or tuberculosis. In the other 

 instance it is made by an official who represents the 

 stock yards, and it is his duty to detect animals which, 

 though not diseased, mav be of such character as to 

 produce meat that does not kill well or is inferior. Such 

 are cows too far gone in conception, and stags. In all 

 instances animals that are suspects or physicallv defect- 

 ive are tagged by one of the inspectors. When so 

 tagged, the price is discounted in the case of animals for 

 slaughter, and cows too far gone in pregnancy are not 

 slaughtered, but removed. 



The third and final inspection is that given to the 

 carcass of animals tagged by the federal inspector at 

 the weigh scale. If the carcass of these is not con- 

 demned as human food, there is no further discount on 

 the same. If it is condemned, it goes to the rendering 



