SELECTING DAIRY COWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2009, 2 August 1880, Page 3

SELECTING DAIRY COWS.

Look first to the great characteristics of a dairy cow —a large stomach, indicated by broad hips, broad and deep loin and sides, a broad or double chine —these indicate a large digestive apparatus, which is the first essential requisite to the manufacture of milk. Secondly, a good constitution, depending largely upon the lungs and heart, which should be well developed, and this is easily determined by examinaiion; but the vigor and tone of the constitution is indicated by tho 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, look carefully to the receptacle for the milk—tho udder—and the veins leading to it. The cow may aß3imilate a large amount of food, which goeß 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 lino of the thighs, well up behind, reacheß well forward, is broad and moderately deep, with teats well opart, and skin soft and elastic, 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 apparatus she may have. A yellow skin and a yellow oar (inside) is atmost universally regarded as present in a cow that gives rich yellow milk ; but after you find the indications mentioned above you may admire aB 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 fancy points ; but do not look for these till you have found the essentials—- " National Live-Stock Journal."