THE DAIRY COW.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 July 1923, Page 4

THE DAIRY COW.

(By Mr Tf. K. B. Watson). The fundamental functions ol the daily row are production and reproduction. Her true value depends tipon the efficiency with which she accomplishes these duties. A careful >t.udy of a great producing cow reveals the fact that certain proportions of her body and certain characteristics stand out prominently that they may lie termed essential points, that indicate great and oeonotnical production. Constitution, as indicated hy large, open and well distended nostrils enabling n free intake of pure air tu the lungs, depth and width in the region of heart and lungs, as denoted by depth and sprfng of rih immediately at hack of shoulders and down round floor of chest. Capacity, as indicate:! by length, depth and spring ol hark rih-. the rib itself being broad and flat and large spaces between hack rih with loins hrotnl and strong. Digestive power, as indicated l>v handling <,utilities of (he skin which should he thin, soft and pliable io the touch and covered with short, solt silky hair.

.Nervous temperament: Indicated by tho large. prominent and placid eye. the broad forehead. the lean, clean nock and sharp withers, the prominent well serrated spinal culoumn, the sharply defined hip and pinhones, the lone; clean well-arched thighs and whip-like tail. It is Ibis nerve force which enables the dairy cotv to endure for a lone; period creator work than her form, six.e and appearance would indicate. Wood circulation: Indicated by the network of veins running over the vessel and by a well cb’veloped inantniarv system. The abdomen of the heavy producing cow having a network of blood veins which carry the blood back to the heart and lungs through hole; in the body termed milk wells, after the mammary glands have extracted from it the milk making milriment. The lone tortuous course n! these canals indicate a. large supply ol blood through the vessel carrying, with i’ the milk making nutriment. Ability t«» pi-mluti* to r;_£o qiiantitu"* ul mill; is itr.iieated by i lit 1 largo, eapaetotts and well attaclied vessel ol good texture. To ensure tin-, length and width ul bind quei'isr is ret|tiirod. Width across bios, ilirottgh thirls and ninboucs and length from hip to pin« and well a.rched clean thighs. Vessel-caught high and wide hehiml carried round on Tialf-nuinn shape and well forward on tie abdomen, fairly level sole, noi deeply serrated between teats which should be placed meat centre of each ipi,liter, ol uniform sine and shape, about :?.J to ineb.es in length with Hal points. The skin and hair on vessel to be soli and silky to the touch and the udder to hang in loose folds ween milk, d. (■eiieral -I'hneness of bone, leanness of spitta. width and depth to underhue and general appearance of “,|iui!ity" is greatly to be desired.