TO CHOOSE A DAIRY COW.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3007, 14 February 1881, Page 4

TO CHOOSE A DAIRY COW.

(Live Stock Jottrhal.) Look to the . great characteristics of a dairy cow—a largo stomach, indicated by broad, hips, broad and deep loins and sides, a broad or double chin —these indicate a large digestive apparatus, which is the first essential requisite to the manufacture o-' milk. Second, a good constitution, depending largely upon tbe lungs and heart, which should be well developed, and this is easily determined by examination ; but the vigor and tone of the constitution are indicated by the lustre of the hair and brightness of the eye and horns, and the whole make up. Thirdly, having determined her capacity for digesting surplus food for making milk— the udder, and the veins leading to it. The cow may assimilate a largo amount of food which goes mostly to lay on flesh and fat, but if she has a long, broad, and deep udder, •with large milk veins, it is safe" to conclude that her large capacity for digestion and assimilation are active in filling this receptacle. In fact, the udder is the first point to look at in a cursory examination of a cow, for nature is not apt to create in vain. If it reaches to the back line of the thighs, well up behind, reaches well forward, is broad and moderately deep, with teats well apart and skin soft and elastio, it may be inferred that nature has provided means for filling it. If the udder be a small round cylinder, hanging down in front of the thighs, like a six-quart pail, the cow cannot be a profitable milker, whatever digestive organs she may have. A yellow skin and a yellow ear (inside) are almost universally regarded as present in a cow that gives rich, yellow milk j but after yott find the indications mentioned above, you may admire as many other points as you please, such as a first-class escutcheon, a long, slim tail, a beautifully turned dishing face, _ a drooping, waxy horn, a small, straight, slim leg, or any other points ; but do not look for those till you Liaye found the essential points,