THE ESCUTCHEON THEORY.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 351, 16 March 1889, Page 5

THE ESCUTCHEON THEORY.

A correspondent some time ago asked us whether there was anything 1 in the escutcheon theory in connection with the milking capacity of cows. Our older subscribers will know we have more than once explained the theory and ghen the opinions of the best authorities as to tho subject. now give an illustration «hich presents a back view of a celebrated Jersey Cow, for the purposeof oxplainingmoro clearly to our readers r the chief points of the escutcheon theory.

The parts of the cow most pi eminently brought to view in this engraving are those upon which the so-called "escutcheon " or " milk mirror," as it is sometimes termed, shows itself. This is an upwaid growth of the hair, beginning upon the hind part of the udder, and extending more or 1e33 widely upon the inside of the thighs, as high up as the vulva. The more space that is covered by hair having an upward direction of growth, the more valuable as a milker the cow wouM be regarded by a beiiever in the escutcheon theory. A Frenchman of the name of Guenon was theoriginatorof ihoidea that the peculiarity described was an indication of superior milking powers. Many laughed his ideas to scorn when first published, and many do not attach much importance to them even now. But Guenon's theory was tho result of long and close obseivation for n.any years, and in oider to investigate the affa r the French Government appointed a Commission of savants who, after a long-con-tinued and careful series of observations and experiments, reported that there was a great deal of solid truth in Guenon's conclusions. Part of his theory is that a good escutcheon in the male is equally important as in the female for the purpose of breeding the best dairy cattle, and no doubt, if he is right about the cows he is right also in thi* contention. What the theory really amounts to it seems to us is that a great deal of this upward growing hair upon the parts inJ cated is a sign of good milking constitution : not, of course, that it catutes a large milk yield, but simplyihatobservation has shown "that cows with this peculiarity aie almost always good dairy a imals. What connection there is between the escutcheon and superior milking capacity we cannot tell, nor, we believe, can anyone el-e. But it is useful to know and be able to recognise any c <aracteristics which are an indication of a good cow, even if we cannot tell w y a good cow should have those particular characteristic marks. If cows which have those marks are almost invariably above the aveiage in quality, it is worth while to know the fact and be guided by it when purchasing dairy stock.