Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-09-10
AarifitIt,lfM Department.
ON MILK COWS.

~ -. qzS.z~ ONZ MlLh IOWSs - LSnT =
While care, attention and good pasturage
are most essential, yet ] am sure We do not
give sufficient attention. to the selection OF
our mich COWS. In turning out calves, we
are not particular in selecting them with q
view to this purpose. My views on this
point have been strengthened and confirm
ed by reading treatise on the subject OF
mich COWS, published by the Agricultural
Society of Bordeaux, France. This treat,
ise gives an account of q system entirely
new at that time, namely, of ascertaining
by external signs or marks on COW, the
Quantity of milk and time ofyield. A COM
mittee appointed by theSociety to examine
and thoroughly stthis system, pronounced
it infallible, and awarded the discoverer,
M. Francis Guenon, a gold medal. Other
Societies took hold Of the subject, with the
same result, and Guenon received various
medals and complimentary letters testifying
to the utility of his discovery: -. -
These external signs or marks are certain
spots on the hinder part of the COW formed
by the meeting of the hair as 1t grows in
opposite directions, and on these spots is al,
ways found a kind of bran or dandruf.--
These marks Guenop calls ears or quirls,
and once pointed out, can be easily discern
ed by any one. After twenty-five years of
close observation, he reduced his knowledge
to regular system, dividing milk COWS into
eight Glasses. according to the size and shape
of these spots or marks Che calls them es-
cuteAeonsj, and he could, by looking at
these marks tell how much milk a COW would
give, from twenty six quarts to half pint
the quality of the milk, whether creamy or
serous and also what length of time, after
being with calf, she would continue to give
milk. By this method, we are enabled not
only to Judge of the qualities Of the full
grown animal, but with equal certainty pass
Judgment on three year old calves.
These facts must be Of incalculable adj
vantage to the dairyman, and greatly as
sist our farmers in determining which calves
to turn out for milk COWS. All such as be-
long to Guenon's eighth class (and we have
many such) should be condemned to the
slaughter-pen, lest by crossing we injure
others of higher class. -.
Thinking, perhaps, there may be some Of
your readers interested in this subject, and
who would like to know these signs or marks,
I will describe them as plainly and succinct-
ly as possible, In selecting milk COW ar
cording to Guenon's directions, we will take
one of the first class. The udder should be
covered With fine downy hair growing up
soards, from between tue four teats, extend
ing upward over the hinder part OF the I'D
der and the region above it, blending with
a similar growth of hair pointing upwards
also, which begins on the legs just above
the hook, joint, covering the inner surface
Of the thighs. This growth of hair point
ing upwards snGrQsGbss q little on the out
er surface until half way up the hind guar.
ter, and gradually contracting upwards to
the terminus of the backbone. There
should be also two small oval spots or marks
two inches vide by three inches long, above
the hind teats, formed by hair growing
dos0ns0dTd. These Two marks cun hc cusi.
" distinguished by the hair being paler
than the, surrounding hair, which grows
*..- '--.'s-l.. .,--.%
All classes of persons, by means of these
guides, are enabled to form judgments OF
cows, and no matter to what breed q COW
may belong, if she possess these marks, she
is infallibly a good milk COW.