514 FARM ANIMALS 
the best possible price that the stock will bring. The 
shipment may be sold during the day of arrival, or it may 
be held until the market would seem to advance. It is the 
custom to pay these commission men, for cattle, 50 cents 
a head or $12 a load; for hogs and sheep, 15 cents a head 
in small lots, $10 a “double decker” load and $6 for a 
single deck. The charge for calves is 25 cents each. 
LoaD OF FAT CATTLE IN A SELLING PEN 
These cattle were consigned to a commission firm and held in their care until sold, 
10. Grading.—When live stock is marketed it is graded 
in accordance with its quality’ and kind. The price ob- 
tained depends naturally upon the grade to which the 
shipment belongs. Cattle, for instance, are graded as (a) 
beef cattle, (b)butcher stock, (c) cutters and canners, (d) 
stockers and feeders, and (¢).veal calves. Each of these 
classes is further graded as prime, choice, good, medium, 
common and inferior. Other grades of a special nature 
are also made, such as Texas and western range cattle, 
baby beef, export cattle and stags. Sheep, hogs and 
