THE COW’S UDDER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4833, 22 May 1925, Page 3

THE COW’S UDDER.

KNOWLEDGE TO BE GLEANED.

A FEW USEFUL LESSONS.

A ew years ago we thought we would pee what percentage of farmers out of 100 believed that the large veins for conveying milk to the udder, are called milk veins, were reallv veins ofr conveying milk to the udder, says the "Dairyfarmer.’’ So,'without expressing any opinion of our own on the matter, we simply asked the following question of one farmer after another: “Why are those veins called milk veins ?” The answer from SO out of 100 was, in effect, like this : "Because they cany the- milk to the udder."

Of the remaining te,n five could not give any answer except that they did not know; while only five had the right idea, namely, that these veins were in reality great blood veins returning blood from the udder to the heart. Afterwards we (Unversed with several of the original ninety on tne subject, and stated to them that science had really found out the putpose of these veins. In almost every instance, however, we found them adhering steadfastly to their form-.-ideas. One of them declared that he had cut into the veins on a dead cow and had seen the milk .flow out. Now. this is but one of the several errors concerning the physiology of a cow which are strongly believed in by the farmers. To be really intelligent and well informed on any questions concerning living beings bne must make a study of the nd. Can we afford as farmers to be harbouring a mass of unfounded notions about sr important an animal as the cow? M we believe the truth as it real. 7 exists, that these veins return thblood to the heart, it will teach us several valuable lessons:

First, it will show us the enormous circulation of blood that is required to produce milk in a good cow. Second, it will teach us that we must take good care of the udder, for with such a heavy influx and outpour of blood the organ is very sensitive to abrupt changes of heat and coll. This is the reason that cbws are apt to have garget by lying on cold ground late in the autumn. Third, a knowledge of the true physiology of the udder will teach us the importance of careful and gentle usage of it in milking and the great importance of .attending'at once to any derangement which may take place. There is no reason on earth why every farmer who keeps cows should not be a weill-informed map on the physiology and function of the dairy’ cow. Such knowledge wouil prove a very profitable guide to the wisest and best methods of handling a cow. We should always remember that the-highest profit from cows can only come through the use of the best judgment and the best method'. To have good judgment we must have scuud knowledge, for, ds said the ancient proverb, “Woe unto him w.w believeth a lie.”