POINT OF A GOOD COW.

Temuka Leader, Issue 606, 15 November 1881, Page 3

POINT OF A GOOD COW.

A gentleman, said to have greatjj experience, in buying and handling stock, giv.s the following outline of a good cow; “In the first place, I will say that I believe in the German escutcheon but still I think it needs a good deal of studying to understand it. I see a great many think if it happens to be rather wide it is i\o. 1. But I have seen very poor cows on which the escutcheon was both high and wide ; but still it wag broken and badly shaped. We wd] commence at the head The muzzle should be rather large, but the head small and bony, with the face di lie l and wide between tbe eyes ; horns rather small and amber colour ; ears small thin, and yellow ; neck thin and long, with clean throat, neck will drop a little in front of shoulders, making what I call a ewe neck ; shoulders sloping, not heavy, but lean or bony ; back level with good width of hips. The backbone should be rough or loose-jointed. I consider this one of the best points, As you move your hand along the back the joints seem to be further apart and ojteu. Barrel broad and deep at the flank, with the back ribs wide apart. Rump long and rather wide ; thighs long, thin and wide apart, with legs shorty and bones fine ; hoofs rather long but small ; milk veins large, and where they enter the hodv, yon can stick your lingers in. Udder well forward, and well up behind, with four good large teats set square and wfoe apart. Udder soft and pliable, and fleshy so that when the milk is drawn the udder is nearly gono. Tail lung and slim, a good switch. Skin should be soft and yellow with a good escutcheon and mild disposition. I lie cow filling the above description, or nearly so. 1 have always found a good one ”