162 Western Live-stock Management 
both risen. By inserting current prices, a feeder can 
soon figure whether he will derive any profit on shearing 
itself or whether he will have to depend on the increased 
gains only for his returns from shearing lambs for the 
feed-lot. 
Shearing is especially popular among speculators near 
the large markets. These men find that shearing saves 
room in the feed-lots, which in their case is often an im- 
portant item, as shorn sheep may be sorted without han- 
dling. They usually handle immense numbers of sheep 
of all grades and are constantly sorting them over to 
procure those which may be turned at a profit. When the 
sheep are shorn, a glance will tell the condition of each 
animal. 
SHELTER 
The ideal feed-lot should be, located in a place sheltered 
by nature from the prevailing winds and storms, and 
should have a small stream for the water supply. In such 
localities sheds are hardly necessary. In fact, very few 
lambs are fattened under shelter. When the feed-lots 
are in exposed positions, simple sheds of rough boards may 
be necessary. These will be used only for shelter in times 
of storm, and the hay racks and grain boxes will all be 
out in the open. There is a growing preference among 
feeders for pumped water instead of running streams. It 
is claimed that the warmer well-water is better for the 
lambs than the ice cold stream. It is possible, however, 
that the advantage is due to the well-water being givenin 
convenient troughs where the lambs can get it easily, 
while the running stream often has such steep icy banks 
that the lambs will not drink until their thirst becomes 
unbearable. 
