154 BEEF PRODUCTION 



all that has been said concerning the use and construc- 

 tion of the self-feeder with fattening cattle, the writer 

 does not wish to be understood as especially favoring 

 its use. We do wish to say, however, that where proper- 

 ly constructed and judiciously used and where for var- 

 ious reasons its use seems desirable, it may be used to 

 good advantage. Where its proper use in the economy 

 of cattle feeding is understood, it is not necessarily a 

 wasteful or hazardous method of finishing cattle. It 

 is not, however, a device that can be advantageous- 

 ly or even safely used by those who are inexperienced 

 or who fail to familiarize themselves with its limitations. 



HOW TO USE THE SELF-FEEDER 



It has generally been considered that the chief point 

 of advantage of this system of feeding is the economiz- 

 ing of labor. While this item is frequently an impor- 

 tant one, it is by no means the only advantage following 

 the use of the self-feeder in fattening cattle. Another 

 is suggested in a statement of a prominent and success- 

 ful Illinois cattle feeder, viz. : "It is more reliable than 

 a careless man and more economical of labor than even 

 a careful man." 



WHAT FEEDERS THINK OF IT 



A brief consideration of some of the advantages and 

 disadvantages of its use forms a good basis for discus- 

 sion of this subject. A few statements representative 

 of those who name disadvantages of this method of 

 feeding are quoted below from circular 98 of the Illinois 

 Experiment Station : 



"It cannot be safely used to start cattle on feed." 

 This is in substance the reply made by several feeders, 

 most of whom use the self-feeder, but who do not turn 

 the cattle to it until they are accustomed to a liberal 

 grain ration. Bad results following the use of the self- 

 feeder have invariably occurred where proper care has 

 not been exercised in getting the cattle on full feed 



