The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-04

Hogs In Hot w euther"lhterest-
ing Points on Handling Cattle.
The shipper of live stock must contend,
henceforth. during the next three OF tour
months. against the extreme heat or summer
weather in getting his animals to market.
Some VIII meet with losses from death en-
route; but this is liable to occur at any sea-
son CT the year, from cause or another;
but the effects OF heat are more fatal and
more frequent than from conditions asso
ciated with transportation during the more
severe winter months. 1t is. therefore, only
the part of se,f-interest for the shipper 20
look carefully to the comfort and well-being
Of his stock inasmuch as by so doing he will
minimize his losses.
An incident occurred only yesterday at the
union stock yards which illustrates the ig
norance of many persons handling live stock,
respecting the rules for their proper treat
ment local shipper brought in As hogs.
The animals were huddled together in several
open wagons. During their long journey they
Were exposed to the direct heat of the sun,
and at its conclusion some of them showed
signs of distress. With view to affording
them relief the shipper secured bucket, and
filling IL with cold water, dashed the con-
tents upon the backs of lot contained in
three of the beasts which were more directly
within the center of contact, and received the
full force of the shock. lay dead on the floor.
The shipper was surprised at the startling
and tragical results Of his well meaning eff
forts and generously administered cold bath.
Don't you know said bystander, ad-
dressing him, that you ought never to throw
cold water on hog when he is overheated?"
We'll, 1 didn't know it until now," the
simmer cd = boc how
to learn"
Thus. by an inexcusab,e act of ignorance
the shipper was deprived of liberal slice of
his profits in the days transactions, and his
expense and labor in preparing the stock for
market stand as a contribution to the general
educational fund in his profit and loss ac-
count We say general" because there are
many more shippers remaining who are just
as ignorant as this man proved himself to be;
but who when they come to read this, will
profit by his example; and. taking this view
of 1t. these hogs Will not have died in vain
There is nothing so excellent or healthful in
connection with the shipment of hogs as to
place them in cars which have been used
for the transportation of soft COAL and good
sprinkling of coal-dust the floor Of the
car Is ample for the use of swine either in
warm or cold weather. ]. H. Lotson the SUI
perintendent of the swine division of the
Minnesota Agricultural society insisted last
fall upon the use of such cars in forwarding
animals fer exhibition at the state fair. Or
powdered charcoal is equally healthful as
preventative of disease But in sending hogs
TO market for immediate slaughter in warm
weather, the floor of the should be strewn
with dirt sand or coal ashes. Manure
should be removed from all live stock cars
during the summer, because of its heating
tendencies. Where dirt sand or coal ashes
are used for hog shipment, it is appropriate
to wet it down before loading; and, even en-
route, on long distances, in very hot weather.
water may safely be poured under the hogs
for them to wallow in, but never over them.
Some shippers place chunks of ice in their
cars, the gradual melting of which cools the
atmosphere and maintains a dampness on the
floor, which is highly beneficial
The same rules do not apply particularly
to the shipment of cattle, but there are many
points in this connection which shippers are
in ignorance of. We print, for the bsneft
Of our readers, the following sensible ad-
vice given by an exchange on this subject,
it being especially appropriate at this season
OF green pasture:
Grass cattle, as rule, do not ship vel
On the pasture they look well, and many a
buyer has been deceived by the apps arance
full bite. To ship such cattle is hard task
and 1t Is invariably disappointing but it has
TO be done. Where convenient it is a FOOD
plan TO place such cattle in pen and feed
them hay for day or two. The secret IF
shipping all classes of cattle is to place them
on the cars full of feed but with as Little
full OF water is atp to have loose bowels
and Show up in the yards badly. Properly
handled cattle should arrive in the sale pens
dry behind and ready for a good fill of wa
ter; not over thirsty, but in good condi ion
to water freely. Many Of our shippers think
that by sailing their cattle, or by feeding
them oats, or by other scheming they can
fool the buyers. This Is nonsense. The buy
ers are Just as sharp the owners, and,
while many, of them say nothing, you often
see them ride into pen and out again with
out the courtesy of bid on this account.
Dozens Of times We have seen this happen.
1t always acts against the shipper to use UNI
matter of great importance that ca tie should
be in g3od condition when purchass d. so as
drink too free'y they are apt to founder
and brake down. In this condition the ressed
beef beef man can use them, but it stops competi-
often go below their value when in this con-
dtion.
The same rule applies to granted cattle.
whether in pasture or dry lot, as to the above
Only they are much more easily handled in
shipment and do not show much distress in
their changed circumstances. AS to feed on
the road, nothing equals good sweet hav n
beats corn or other grains, because it is cas-
1ly dlgested and does not fever the animal
Simple methods and simple feeds are the
best that can be used. AS to water on the
road, 1t is a matter to be decided on accord
ing to the weather. In midsummer care must
De taken to supply animal wants, whereas,
IN winter steer can go for many hours
without drink. Good management in this
line also calls for the arrival of stock at
stock yards in proper time From to a.
m. is the best time in the day to appear
upon the scene-the nearer the latter hour
The better-for cattle especially always look
better when they are taken off the cars
and have just been fed and watered. Then
they have a bloom upon them which wears
of very quickly.
pointment and loss if before sending in cattle
to market they would notify their commits
sion house what and when they are going
to ship. Then, if the commission merchant
thinks the stock would be benefited by longer
feeding, or that the prospect is unfayorabIe
for the time the feeder expected to have his
cattle in, he can so advise his client and thus
save him from sacrificing his stock or get
important In November or the beginning of
winter when are getting half fat cattle
that ought to have been held back thirty
to SIXTY days longer at least No doubt many
OF these look all right in the feed lot and
appear to have good finish, but not having
matured or ripened, they practically go to
pieces" on the cars and in addition to loss
through heavy shrinkage the owner has 70
accept low price on the market. We wish
every stockman would follow out this plan
OF giving notice a day or so ahead of the
time he expects to ship. 1t works both to
the advantage of the shipper and seller The
latter being on the market every day knows
pretty closely of near prospects. He is thus
able to give his client the necessary ad
vice and information he should have before
be sends in his stock.-Exchange.
WHEAT AGAIN ADVANrrn