The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-01-19
1gritnltnral.
From the Southern Cultipator.
Guenon on Mich Cows.

10 Me Ea'tor of he .lmcricun Farmer:
1t has been about six years, | believe,
since a book, called al Treatise on Mitch
Cocs," by Mr.. F. Gucnon, was translated
from the French by N. T. Trist, Esq, and
republished in this country. 1t purports
to teach = method of ascertaining the
milching qualities Of cows, by the manner
of growth Of the hair on the hind part of
the udder and thighs.
The author asserts that not only can
good mixers be distinguished by this rule,
from the very bad, but that all the shades
Of difference can be thus ascertaincd with
great certainty. Of course, allowances
are to be made for differences in age, size,
food, &c. AS there does not appear to be
any natural connection between the milk
ing qualities of the COWS and the growth
OF the hair on their udders, farmers and
dairymen, in this part of the country,
were at first disposed to rate this as one of
the humbugs of which this age is so re-
markably prolific; which may remark,
appear to bear, in numbers and impudent
pretensions, about the same proportion to
the number and importance of real scien-
tihc discoveries that they have done in
any other age.
A brief examination and trial will al
ways separate the grain from the chaG.-
The false is rejected, and the true is ac-
cepted, to become, in its turn, starting
point for new discoveries.
Years of trial have sanctioned and vim
dicated the claim of Mr.. Guenon to a
share of that admiration and gratitude
which is accorded to those benefactors of
their race who discover important truths
in science.
In the eastern portion of Chester and
Delaware counties, are many extensive
and fertile farms, managed by intelligent
and skilful dairymen, who supply the Phil
adelphia market with fresh butter milk
and cream. Of course the discovery of
Mr.. Guenon would be of great value to
them, If true. Some of them commenced
with great doubts, and much secrecy, lest
they should he laughed at by their neigh
bors for their credulity, to compare the
"escutcheons" on their COWS with the
drawings in the book This was testing
the matter speedily and fairly, for every
dairyman knows which are his best milk
ers. Soon their secrecy had another mo-
tive. 1t was to conceal this important
knowledge from those who might become
their competitors at the sales of cows
For, in every case, the escutcheons dclin-
eated in the books as good cows were
found to correspond with the natural
marks on the best mixers in the herd
Further Investigations have shown that
"Guenon's method" " as it is called here, is
true in the minutest details. 1t has been
thoroughly tested by many Of our most
intelligent dairymcn and farmers, who, be-
ing actuated by no other motive than to
advance their own interests, have given
the subject a careful and candid examina-
ton. Every person who investigates the
subject becomes convinced Of its truth
and importance. Some Of my neighbors
have procured good herds, by buying the
best marked two-year old heifers that are
brought here in droves from New York
and Ohio. The very best marked cows
are far from common, but, as the escut-
cheon may be distinguished on the cali,
the application Of the rule to the selection
of the heifer calves for raising, will give
an abundance Of good COWS.
The mark is equally plain, too, on the
bull, and breeders are thus enabled to pro-
ceed undestandingly in their selection of
animals to breed from. In short, well
marked COW in our section Of country will
command from 80 TO so per cent. over
one not well marked, yet in other respects
OF apparently equal value. Guided by
the light of this valuable discovery, have
selected from the herds of G. p. Holcomb,
&C Delaware, I. p. Morris, New York.
and elsewhere, few superior marked De-
vonshires, Ayrshires and Durhams, for
breeding purposes. Relying on the well
known physiological law, that progeny re-
senibles the parents, of both sexes, who
correspond in this one respect, however
much they may differ in others, conf
IDENTIFY expect to raise some choice milk
ers. In due time you shall hear the re-
suit Of the experiment
1t is my intention to exhibit at the next
agricultural exhibition some we'll marked
heifers and bull, together with crib or
bin for hay, DC, such as is used in every
well managed barn-vard in our oo,n,,