SHRINKAGE OF WEIGHT OF BEEF CATTLE IN TRANSIT. 
49 
on a more natural fill at market than animals denied both water 
and feed before loading. If cattle are not fed or watered before 
loading and unusual delays are experienced they may arrive at 
market so tired from the jolts and long standing as to prefer lying 
doATn to eating or drinking, or so hungry and thirsty that they will 
eat and drink so much at market as to attract attention. 
THE FILL AT MARKET. 
The best that' can be expected at market is a natural fill. All plans 
and preparations made in anticipation of a natural fill may be upset, 
however, by conditions encountered in transit or upon arrival. The 
custom that now obtains in the market of allowing cattle to eat or 
drink until sold provides the shipper every opportunity to have his 
animals in the best physical condition. There are no restrictions 
placed by the stockyards management as to how much or what he 
shall feed, or when he shall water his animals. The shipper is per- 
mitted to exercise his own judgment in the matter, so that misfor- 
tunes encountered in transit or on arrival may in a measure be over- 
come by exercising good management at market. 
WEIGHING BEFORE LOADING. 
Where opportunitj 7 will permit and scales are available it is con- 
sidered advisable to weigh animals before loading. There are two 
very good reasons to support this suggestion. 
1. The weights taken before loading provide the shipper Avith the 
means of knowing exactly what the shrinkage has been from the 
farm to the market. Furthermore, if he has fattened the animals 
the weights before loading will also supply him the information 
needed to determine the progress of his feeding. 
2. In the event that his shipment meets with disaster in transit 
the before-loading weights supply an intelligent basis for the recov- 
ery of his loss, and the same applies in case his shipment has encoun- 
tered prolonged delays resulting in excessive shrinkage in transit. 
Mam 7 of the larger railroads traversing the cattle-producing sec- 
tions, with the exception of the western range country, have plat- 
form scales in the station pens at the more important loading points 
on their lines. These scajes are at the disposal of the shipper, and no 
restrictions are placed on their use in connection with the shipment 
of live stock. It is suggested in this connection that shippers who 
know in advance of the approximate time of their loading should 
personally ascertain if the scales are in good working condition. 
8472°— Bull. 25—13 4 
