CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF BEEF CATTLE 327 



disturbances furnish ideal conditions for rapid and economic 

 gains." 



The feed-lot. — Relatively too little attention is given the feed- 

 lot. In choosing the location of the lot, consideration should 

 be given to drainage and the natural protection. A south 

 slope is the most desirable, as the water will drain off quickly 

 after a rain, and the full benefit of the sun's rays will be received. 

 A muddy lot is one of the greatest objections to winter feeding. 

 Over much of the grain belt the soil is rather impervious to 

 water, which is held at the surface. The cattle in walking 

 mix the water with the soil, which is often clay, thus making 

 a most disagreeable mud. 



The only known corrective for such lots is to pave them, or 

 at least in part, particularly where the animals must lie and 

 where the feed-bunks and racks are placed. For this purpose 

 various materials are used, chief of which are cobble stones, 

 bricks, cement, and plank. Before laying the pavement a 

 grade should be estabhshed slightly higher than the sur- 

 rounding surface, to eliminate the surface water. The grade 

 should have a slope of at least one inch to six feet. The surface 

 should then be covered with six inches of gravel rolled and 

 tamped down solid ; over this place a one-inch covering of fine 

 sand on which the brick or cobble stone may be laid. Roll, 

 or better still, tamp down solid. Over this should be placed a 

 cement mortar of the consistency of cream made by thoroughly 

 mixing one .part clean sharp sand and one part of Portland 

 cement. This mixture should be thoroughly swept into the 

 joints and cracks. A second coat of the cement mortar may be 

 laid 'in ten days to insure the complete filling of the cracks and 

 joints. A feed-lot thus paved will be free from mud, can be 

 cleaned with team and scraper, and makes a very desirable 

 place on which to feed cattle. 



Platform for feed-bunks. — On soils that are porous and from 

 which the water drains off rapidly, the mud gives little incon-: 



