SHBIXKAGE OF WEIGHT OE BEEE CATTLE IX TBANSIT. 
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2. To determine, if possible, at what period of the journey the 
greatest shrinkage occurred. 
3. To study what effects the different methods of handling the 
cattle previous to loading them had upon the shrinkage in transit. 
4. To note the effect of the weather at time of shipping upon the 
shrinkage in transit and the fill taken at market. 
5. To determine the relative benefit, if any. of a good, quick run to 
market as compared to a slow, rough trip with careles- handling of 
the train. 
6. To see whether or not feeding and watering the cattle a short 
time before loading them was beneficial. 
7. To note the difference in shipping cattle long distances in " feed 
and water " cars without unloading them, as against the method of 
unloading in transit to feed, water, and allow the stock to rest. 
8. To study the shrinkage of cattle that have been finished for the 
market upon various feedstuff s. 
9. To note what influence the season will exert upon the shrinkage. 
10. To obtain reliable data that may be used as a basis upon which 
the 'cattleman can calculate the approximate shrinkage in weight 
of his cattle in shipping. 
PLAN OF THE WORK. 
This investigation was begun in August. 1910. and was planned to 
extend into the important parts of the range and feeding sections of 
the country and to incorporate results for the different classes of 
cattle when shipped under various conditions. To carry out the in- 
vestigation the cooperation of both the railroads and the cattlemen 
had to be obtained. The cooperation of the railroads was necessary, 
as there were no stock scales on the ranches of the Southwest, so the 
cattle had to be weighed on the railroad track scales at the point of 
origin. The cars had to be weighed while empty and again after 
loading, the difference in the two weights being, of course, the weight 
of the cattle. 
Each c&r was " cut loose " at each end from the other cars, so that 
the " pull n on the coupling would not affect the weight of the car. 
This required quite a little work from the crews of the switch en- 
gines, but the help was always courteously given by the railroads 
without charge. The shipper was asked to sign a printed form giv- 
ing his consent to have the cattle weighed, so that the railroads could 
not be held responsible for the little delay caused by weighing the 
stock. The work was done very fast, requiring about one minute 
per car. and very little time was lost. 
The weights of the animals were taken at the point of loading, 
on arrival at their destination, and again after having rest. feed, and 
