LIVE-HTOGE SHIPPERS- ASSOCIATIONS 453 



tions it is done by commission firms or other salesmen. One 

 great advantage in the Ohio method is that all the companies 

 shipping under the farm bureau federation are assisted in 

 time of trouble with transportation agencies, in securing im- 

 portant legislation, etc., by the state federation officials. 

 Late in 1921 there were about fifty county associations in 

 Ohio working under the farm biu-eau federation. 



The manager of a co-operative live-stock shipping asso- 

 ciation is largely responsible for the success of the organiza- 

 tion. He should be strictly honest, have good judgment in 

 business matters, possess a rather intimate knowledge of 

 the live-stock market, and should be a seasoned judge of 

 animals and their market values. Further, in view of the 

 jealousy and friction so likely to occur among a group of 

 people mutually engaged in business, he should be tactful 

 and gracious in his dealings with others, thus harmonizing 

 interests and making friends for the association. It is also 

 an asset to have a manager of attractive personality, some- 

 thing that is too often overlooked. The manager should 

 visit the farms of members of the association, and, whenever 

 desirable, offer suggestions that will result in improving the 

 stock to be sold through the association. It will also be 

 desirable for the manager to make occasional visits to the 

 markets, that he may keep in touch with conditions there. 



The marking of stock of shipping associations is necessary, 

 for in many cases car loads are made up of shipments from 

 more than one person. Each shipper should have a number 

 or some character by which his stock may be marked and so 

 easily identified. There are several methods of marking. 

 An old European custom is to clip Roman numerals 4 inches 

 or so long in the hair on the rumps of cattle. This marking 

 is easily done with either straight or curved blade scissors. 

 Metal ear tags, on which numbers are stenciled, may be used 

 for cattle, hogs, and sheep; but these are not entirely satis- 

 factory, for the reason that the numbers, being small, can 



